College of San Mateo Defensive Back Ja'Marion Grace Dies in Weekend Crash

The 19-year-old freshman from Fairfield was killed and two teammates were hurt in a single-vehicle wreck, the school confirmed.

Ja'Marion Grace, a 19-year-old freshman defensive back from Fairfield, died in a weekend car crash, the College of San Mateo announced Monday. Two other student-athletes from the football program were also hurt in the wreck, according to CSM President Jennifer Taylor. One of them remained in the hospital with serious injuries, while the second was back home recovering.

Grace was known by the nickname "Pop." In a post on social media, the Bulldogs football program remembered him as more than a teammate, calling him a brother. A fundraising page set up by Dominique Suber described Grace as a son, grandson, brother and friend whose presence brought love, laughter and warmth to those around him. By Monday evening the GoFundMe had brought in $15,691 of a $28,000 goal to cover funeral costs.

Campus officials gave no details on the timing or location of the accident. The California Highway Patrol, however, logged a solo crash on northbound Highway 101 at Yerba Buena Road in San Jose at roughly 2:06 a.m. Sunday, in which a 19-year-old Fairfield man died and another man suffered major injuries. Per the CHP, the driver of a 2013 Ford Fusion lost control, and the 19-year-old who was killed was thrown from the car and pronounced dead. The driver, a 19-year-old from San Mateo, was taken to a hospital.

Before enrolling at San Mateo, Grace played at Vanden High School in Fairfield and graduated in June 2025. The Bulldogs are 3-1 this season following a 45-16 home victory over Modesto Junior College on Saturday. Taylor said she met with football players and staff Monday and was heartened by the care and unity shown by the team, coaches and the wider college community, adding that mutual support will matter greatly in the days ahead.