The 2012 bronze medalist was pronounced dead at the scene after striking one vehicle before plowing head-on into another car driving in the opposite direction in College Station, Texas.
- Jan 12, 2022
AceShowbiz - Deon Londre, a three-time Olympic track star who represented Trinidad & Tobago, has passed away. The athlete was killed in a three-car accident on Monday, January 10. He was only 29 years old.
The former Texas A&M athlete was driving westbound on FM 485 in Milam County, which sits between Austin and College Station, in his 2015 Volkswagen Jetta when his vehicle crossed the center line and "sideswiped a vehicle" travelling the other way. He continued and drifted over the center line a second time and crashed into a second car head-on.
"Texas DPS Troopers responded to a major collision between three vehicles on FM 485," the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to PEOPLE. "A 2015 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, operated by 29-year-old Deon Christopher Lendore of College Station, Texas, was traveling westbound on FM 485."
"According to the investigating Trooper, the Volkswagen crossed over the center stripe and side-swiped a vehicle that was traveling eastbound," the statement continued. "The Volkswagen continued traveling westbound and drifted across the center stripe again and collided [with] the Infiniti head-on."
Deon was pronounced dead at the scene. A 65-year-old woman from Conroe, Texas, who drove the Infiniti SUV, was rushed to the hospital with "incapacitating injuries." The driver that was sideswiped suffered no injuries.
Expressing condolences, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee said in a Facebook post, "Words cannot adequately express our sadness at the devastating and untimely loss of 3x Olympian and Olympic and World Championship bronze medalist Deon Lendore who has been an inspiration and motivation to us all both on and off the track." It added, "Deon has flown the Trinidad and Tobago flag with pride, honor, patriotism and an indomitable will throughout his career while helping and inspiring many."
The U.S. Embassy Port of Spain also released a statement on his death. "On behalf of the U.S. Embassy Port of Spain, I extend condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Trinbagonian Olympian Deon Lendore upon his untimely and tragic passing," Charge d'Affaires Shante Moore wrote.
"A three-time Olympian, an Olympic bronze medalist, and a World Championship bronze medalist, Deon was a former Texas A&M University sprinter who represented his country proudly with honor," Shante continued. "May he rest in peace."
Several track stars paid tribute to Deon, including Olympian Gwen Berry who wrote, "Wow... Rest in Power." He continued, "One thing I learned last year was the importance of LIVING. do what you want… deal with what you want… love who you want. Don’t DIE just to LIVE. You LIVE then DIE.. I've been happier ever since."
Deon competed in 3 Olympics, including the 2020 Tokyo games, and won the bronze medal in the 4x400 meter at the 2012 games in London. He was a 12-time All-American in college at Texas A&M, where he was serving as a volunteer coach at the time of his death.
Texas A&M coach Henry said in a statement to PEOPLE of Deon's passing, "This is very difficult to express, I can't even express this loss. Over the years our relationship had changed to not only one of my athletes to coach, but he was loved by my wife, children and grandchildren. He was part of my family. It hurts, it really hurts. My thoughts are with his family and the efforts to get through this very difficult period of time."
