Former Oregon linebacker dies, police find body hours after horrifying DUI accident
Former Oregon linebacker Fotu Leiato, 21, was killed in a single-car accident on Friday, according to the Eugene Police Department.
The driver of the vehicle, Pedro Chavarin Jr., initially told police that he was the only occupant, and the 22-year-old Chavarin was charged with driving under the influence.
But several hours later, Leiato’s body was discovered at the scene, which is less than a mile from the Ducks’ Autzen Stadium.
An investigation is now underway.
“I spoke to people living in this apartment complex and they say that rollover was so loud, it woke them up, even shook their apartments,” reported Amber Wilmarth of KEZI-TV in Eugene, Oregon.
“Then more than four hours later, a woman who walks down this path everyday found the body in these bushes right over here,” Wilmarth said.
Oregon coach Mario Cristobal and athletic director Rob Mullens released a joint statement on Leiato’s death to Oregon Live.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Fotu, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time,” they said. “He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.”
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Fotu, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.”
– Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens & head football coach Mario Cristobal pic.twitter.com/C5K7EsVh4v
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) June 16, 2018
Leiato played in 38 games in three seasons with the Ducks after being part of former coach Mark Helfrich’s 2015 recruiting class.
He mainly saw time on special teams as a freshman and then saw time at safety in his sophomore season. He shifted to linebacker in his junior season and earned the first start of his career.
Leiato was expected to push for a starting linebacker position as a senior until being arrested earlier this year.
After being charged with theft, criminal trespassing and criminal mischief on April 25, Leiato was dismissed from the program, according to 247 Sports.
Many of Leiato’s former teammates remembered him on social media after hearing the news of his death.
Hit with the bad news tonight… former teammate of mine fotu leiato was killed in a car accident last night… prayers out to his family… rest easy Fotu🙏🏼
— Tanner Carew (@Tcarew10) June 16, 2018
My uso will forever be in my heart. What happened was tragic but what makes me feel better is knowing that you are in paradise with our Heavenly Father🙏🏽 Rest In Love my uso Fotu. Love you uce💯 pic.twitter.com/AnC6kpGAKn
— Austin Faoliu (@Faoliu_10) June 16, 2018
RIP Fotu you will be missed dawg😢
— Ty Griffin (@ty_griffin10) June 16, 2018
Leiato was a three-star recruit coming out of high school and was ranked by Scout.com as the top safety in the state of Washington.
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