Eastern Kentucky defensive lineman Kraemer dies in auto accident

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Eastern Kentucky freshman defensive lineman Joey Kraemer died in a single-car accident over the weekend, school officials announced Monday.

Kentucky State Police were notified around 8 a.m. Sunday of the crash on Tates Creek Road west of Richmond. A police statement said Kraemer, 19, died when his car went off the road and struck a tree. It did not say when the accident occurred.

Kentucky State Trooper Robert Purdy said there was no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved, but toxicology results are pending.

Kraemer redshirted last season at UTEP before transferring to EKU. The 6-3, 245-pound native of Kettering, Ohio, was eligible but had not played for the Colonels (2-1), who face Kentucky (3-1) Saturday night.

EKU athletic director Steve Lochmueller said in a statement Monday that though Kraemer's time at EKU was short, "I'm sure the impact he made on his fellow students, teammates, coaches and professors will live on. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

"The news that we lost one of our own is devastating to me, our team and our coaches," head coach Dean Hood said. "We pray that God will give strength to Joey's family during their time of mourning. Joey will truly be missed by all of us he touched, not only because of what he accomplished on the football field, but because of who he was as a person and the impact he made on our lives."

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops expressed condolences to EKU and Hood during his Monday news conference. Stoops said, "Hearing about that tragedy, it is sad for all of us. Our hearts go out to him, his family and the entire program."

Kentucky athletic spokesman Tony Neely said Kraemer will be honored during pregame activities.