Former Penn State Football Player Seriously Injured in Freak ATV Accident That Killed His Girlfriend

Published: May 25, 2025

Julian Fleming, a 24-year-old former Penn State football player, was seriously injured in a freak ATV accident that claimed the life of his girlfriend, Alyssa Boyd, on May 23.

Fleming was driving a 2024 Yamaha ATV with Boyd, 23, as a passenger when a deer jumped into the road in Columbia Township, Pennsylvania, around 8:13 p.m. local time. According to an official crash report, neither passenger was wearing safety equipment.

Boyd sustained extensive injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Fleming sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital, where he has since been released.

Authorities also located a "recently deceased deer" on the scene of the crash, which officials described as "consistent with damage observed on the ATV."

Remembering Alyssa Boyd

Boyd, a Pennsylvania native and University of Alabama student, shared a photo of herself and Fleming on a football field on her Instagram account in November 2024. She captioned the photo, "Proud of you 3," including a nod to the wide receiver's jersey number.

Boyd also shared a photo of herself and Fleming on VSCO in January, marking the end of Fleming's final season. She wrote, "And that's a wrap! Can't wait to see what's next in your journey."

Julian Fleming's Football Career

Fleming, born in Pennsylvania, transferred to Penn State from Ohio State following a successful high school football career at Southern Columbia Area High School. After wrapping his fifth and final college football season with the Nittany Lions early this year, he went undrafted in the 2025 NFL draft in April, making him a free agent.

The Green Bay Packers showed interest in the Penn State alum, however, but ultimately did not sign him due to concerns over his hip and back injuries. Since the deal fell through, several other NFL teams have shown interest in the wide receiver, including the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders.