NFL Player Chris Henry Dies at Age 26 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Graplr · #1 12-17-2009, 12:52 PM

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Reports-Henry-passes-away/612572f9-1819-49ed-a509-e503e8973908

Wide receiver Chris Henry, one of the Bengals’ most prolific touchdown makers ever in a brief star-crossed career, has died, according to media sources citing the Charlotte, N.C. police. Henry, 26, died Thursday morning from injuries stemming from a pickup truck accident in Charlotte Wednesday.

What a said story. The guy definitely had some ups and downs on and off the field but it seemed he was just getting his life in order. 26, so young.

SwampYankee · #2 12-17-2009, 12:57 PM

Saw that during my lunch break. It seemed like he got himself headed in the right direction, just as the Bengals did the same.

cmac2012 · #3 12-17-2009, 01:59 PM

Bizarre story. The account I read said he jumped into the back of a pickup truck being driven away by his fiance and was found severely injured on the road.

Txjake · #4 12-17-2009, 02:23 PM

One upmanship on Tiger Woods?

dynalow · #5 12-17-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Bizarre story. The account I read said he jumped into the back of a pickup truck being driven away by his fiance and was found severely injured on the road.

He had a "coming out"

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry dies after Charlotte accident
Police say Bengals wide receiver "came out" of pickup truck
Cleve R. Wootson Jr. and Ely Portillo
Staff Writers

Posted: Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009

Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry died early Thursday morning from injuries suffered when he "came out" of the back of a pickup during a domestic dispute in northern Charlotte, according to police.

Police said he died at 6:36 a.m. at Carolinas Medical Center where he had been taken early Wednesday afternoon. Police haven't released a cause of death.

Officers were called to Oakdale Road near Interstate 85 just before noon Wednesday in reference to a “person down.” When officers arrived, they found Henry in the road with life-threatening injuries.

Paramedics transported Henry to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was treated overnight, according to police.

Police said Henry was involved in a “domestic situation” with his fiancee on Peachtree Road. They wouldn't identify her but said she got into a pickup and drove away from the home. As she was driving, police said, Henry jumped into the bed of the truck.

The domestic dispute continued between Henry and his fiancee and at some point, Henry “came out” of the back of the vehicle, police said. But they refused to elaborate on whether Henry fell or might have been forced out of the truck.

A woman who answered the door at the Peachtree house and identified herself as the mother of Henry's fiancée Wednesday said the couple had been staying at the home while Henry was on injured reserve.

They were making plans for their wedding, said the woman, who wouldn't give her name. In a statement on its website, the Bengals said the couple planned to marry in March.

The woman said she wasn't home at the time of the dispute, and wasn't sure what happened. But late Wednesday, she said her daughter was at Henry's bedside at the hospital. Carolinas Medical wouldn't release any information about Henry's condition.

The Cincinnati Enquirer identified Henry's fiancee as Loleini Tonga and said the couple has three children, all under age four. Tonga, 25, graduated from West Charlotte High School in 2002 and was a standout volleyball player who led the Lions her junior and senior seasons. She also played volleyball at N.C. A&T.

The two-story Peachtree home is owned by the Tonga family, according to property records. On Wednesday evening, there was a black Ford Excursion Krystal limousine parked out front, and deep tire tracks in the front yard.

Jessie Clanton, 19, a neighbor, said she didn't hear anything unusual Wednesday afternoon but knew that Henry was staying there.

“I see limos going up and down all the time,” she said.

Henry was found by police about half a mile from the Peachtree Road house on a curvy section of Oakdale Road.

Henry, No. 15 on the Bengals, is in his fifth season with the team and is known for his speed and athletic ability – but also for his troubles off the field.

He's had frequent discipline issues, including 14 games' worth of suspensions for violating league policy and five arrests during his career, according to the Associated Press. Those arrests included supplying alcohol to three underage females, a concealed weapon charge involving allegations that he pulled a pistol on a group of revelers, and marijuana charges.

In five seasons, Henry caught 119 passes for 1,826 yard and 21 touchdowns.

He has been on injured reserve since dislocating his forearm Nov. 8.

FORD: Found On the Road Dead.

911 calls
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/747/story/1130339.html

pj67coll · #6 12-17-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynalow

Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry died early Thursday morning from injuries suffered when he "came out" of the back of a pickup during a domestic dispute in northern Charlotte, according to police.

Police said he died at 6:36 a.m. at Carolinas Medical Center where he had been taken early Wednesday afternoon. Police haven't released a cause of death.

I suspect his fiance might have used him as a speed bump a few times.

- Peter.

cmac2012 · #7 12-18-2009, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

I suspect his fiance might have used him as a speed bump a few times.

- Peter.

Somehow I doubt it. If the guy was aggressively trying to get into the cab, and why else would he have jumped on the truck, I could see her speeding up, hitting the brakes, swerving etc. Getting pitched out wrong at speed could easily break one's neck.

raymr · #8 12-18-2009, 08:31 AM

A family we know lost their son in a similar incident. The kid was heading off to the Marines in a week and thought he'd go out for one last night of fun. Instead he lost his balance in the back of a pickup truck while dodging fire crackers that were being thrown at him, and landed head first on the pavement. He died a few days later when his brain swelled and stopped functioning.

The other boys are up for manslaughter charges, which Henry's girlfriend might be facing now too.

#9 12-18-2009, 09:50 AM

Yup, that stuff happens. I remember two of us riding on the roof of a station wagon while our friend tried to shake us off by swerving (it was high school, we were very drunk). Most kids survive this nonsense, some aren't as lucky. Most of us also grow out of it by the time we're about 18.

Graplr · #10 12-18-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Yup, that stuff happens. I remember two of us riding on the roof of a station wagon while our friend tried to shake us off by swerving (it was high school, we were very drunk). Most kids survive this nonsense, some aren't as lucky. Most of us also grow out of it by the time we're about 18.

This is scary stuff. When my older brother was in high school he was working for an appliance company. They were making a delivery in a pick up truck. The appliance wasn't strapped in very well so my brother decided to ride in the bed to 'hold' it. I know it was not the smartest idea but he was 16 at the time and was a big strong kid.

He fell out of the back, hit his head and his High School sports days were over. I think they only diagnosed him with a severe concussion. He has no lingering effects now (almost 25 years later) but I think he still has regrets about not being able to compete athletically anymore. He was starting at running back as a sophomore and at the very least could have played in college at the DII or DIII level.

When I heard about Chris Henry my brother was the first thing I thought of and how lucky he is to be alive.

mgburg · #11 12-18-2009, 10:31 AM

If the two of them were involved in a "DD" (domestic disturbance), and he jumped on the PU as she was DRIVING AWAY...if she had any fear for her life, what's the problem?

Great...Henry WAS getting his "act together" and becoming a viable lifeform in society.

Doesn't sound like he had the "domestic part" down pat yet...

Comparing this "accident" to drunken High School Hi-jinx shouldn't even be mentioned in this discussion...it's not the same thing...it's not even in the same universe...

They weren't screwing around.

There MAY HAVE BEEN alcohol involved...the toxicology reports are weeks away...and all that will prove is that one or the other (or both) were drinking.

And if that's the case, the local prosecutor may be able to nail the GF with OUI or involuntary man-slaughter...unless there's evidence that she was trying to get away from Henry for fear of her well-being/life.

Any way you look at it, it's a sad story, bound to be repeated in the future...with different "stars" and "talent" involved...but still, a sad tale to be repeated.

I wouldn't want to be a prosecutor in any jurisdiction that either borders on, or has some type of either Pro- or Semi-pro sport franchise located in it.

Too much of a chance of having to deal with situations just like this...

.

Graplr · #12 12-18-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgburg

Comparing this "accident" to drunken High School Hi-jinx shouldn't even be mentioned in this discussion...it's not the same thing...it's not even in the same universe...

They weren't screwing around.

.

I agree with most of your post but people were only comparing the dangers of falling off/out of a moving vehicle, NOT that a dumb high school kid and a 26 year old man have the same reasoning skills.

#13 12-18-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

I agree with most of your post but people were only comparing the dangers of falling off/out of a moving vehicle, NOT that a dumb high school kid and a 26 year old man have the same reasoning skills.

I guess that depends on the judgement of the 26 year old.

lutzTD · #14 12-18-2009, 12:01 PM

too bad being hard headed cant be more literal. Being a lifelong Bangal fan CH was always a wild card. sort of like Stanley Wilson's Super Bowl drug bust. I always thought CH was going to do something like that too. Im sorry for him and his family, but I sure wish he had grown up for his and his families sakes, he was on the road to getting better but he had a lot of second chances, unfortunately this one didnt give him another.

Jim B. · #15 12-18-2009, 12:16 PM

Except for people that need one on moving day, and contractors and some commercial users, I think big American pickup trucks are ridiculous, abysmally handling, gas guzzling vehicles with no reason to exist.

They only enjoy currency in Mexico and the United States where they have an absurd macho image. the rest of the world, being more enlightened, has no use for them.