Obituaries
Former USC Star Killed Wandering LA Freeway
The former USC Safety was apparently disoriented and died as he walked along the 5 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Former USC safety Kevin Ellison died last week while walking along the 5 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley, it was reported Monday. He was 31.
The school confirmed Ellison' passing in a social media post Saturday with a simple hashtag: "#FightOnForever."
Chris Ellison told the Los Angeles Times that his brother was walking along the 5 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley at the time of his death.
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"He was disoriented and didn't know where he was at," Chris Ellison said. "I'm sure he was trying to come home and find his family. We love him so much."
Records from the Los Angeles County coroner's office show Kevin Ellison died on a freeway, according to The Times. No cause of death was listed. An exam is pending.
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The Inglewood native, who played for the Trojans from 2005 to 2008, was a two-time All-Pac-10 selection known for delivering hard hits. The San Diego Chargers drafted him in the sixth round in 2009. He played nine games for the team, then briefly joined the offseason roster for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.
"Kevin was liked and loved by everybody," Chris Ellison said. "His smile and personality would light up a room."
Kevin Ellison faced federal arson charges in 2012 while playing for the Arena Football League's Spokane Shock after he caused $50,000 in damage by setting his bed on fire at the Big Trout Lodge in Liberty Lake, Washington. According to court records cited by The Times, Ellison said God told him to set the fire.
The case was eventually dismissed after Ellison was ordered to pay more than $80,000 in restitution.
Chris Ellison said his brother struggled with mental health issues in recent years.
"My mom and sister and dad and brother did everything they could," Chris Ellison told The Times.
City News Service; LOS ANGELES - SEPTEMBER 13: Kevin Ellison #4 of the USC Trojans gestures against the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 13, 2008 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC won 35-3. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)