Three local young men were involved in a traffic accident early Sunday morning that took the life of a 17-year-old high school football star.

Two of the young men involved in the accident played for the River Hill football team, including Steven Joseph Dankos, who lost his life in the crash. A former team member, 22-year-old David Dixon Erdman II, was allegedly drunk when he lost control of his car. He has been charged with driving under the influence, homicide by motor vehicle and manslaughter by motor vehicle.

Erdman was admitted to the hospital with minor injuries. One of the passengers was his younger brother, Thomas Erdman, 17; Thomas was admitted but discharged from a trauma unit at the hospital. 

The River Hill football team had won two consecutive state championships before this year. Dankos was a senior lineman on the team. Thomas Erdman was also on the defensive lineup. They had lost the state football final the prior evening, snapping a 40 game winning streak. There is no news on whether the two events were connected.

The suspect, David Erdman, was remembered in the community for his football days as well. In fact, the current head coach had coached all three boys. This tragedy has left the community in shock.