College Football Star Ivan Garza Dead at 25 After Tragic California Collision

Former Sacramento State football player Ivan Garza has died at just 25 years old after being struck by a vehicle in his hometown of Delano, California.

Police said officers responded shortly after 4 a.m. on July 8 to a report of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian. Investigators believe the vehicle was traveling north when it struck Garza. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

Garza’s family, however, has raised questions about what happened.

Relatives have disputed some details of the initial police account, including where Garza was when he was struck. They have also publicly questioned whether the incident was truly accidental.

No conclusion of foul play has been announced by police, and the investigation remains ongoing.

For those who knew Garza, the tragedy is about much more than the circumstances of his death.

He was a Delano native and a standout football player at Robert F. Kennedy High School, where he helped his team win a Central Section championship.

He later continued his football career at Sacramento State, playing offensive line for the Hornets from 2021 through 2023.

Garza became an important part of the team’s offensive line and started all 13 games during the 2023 season. His performance earned him honorable mention All-Big Sky honors.

But his family and former teammates remembered him for more than football.

They described him as a “gentle giant” with a kind heart and an unforgettable smile.

His former high school shared a heartbreaking tribute, remembering him as someone who showed that “big things can come from small places.”

Sacramento State football also paid tribute to Garza, remembering him as a wonderful teammate, player, and Hornet.

His sudden death has left his mother, Sandra, and the rest of his loved ones devastated.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was created to help the family with funeral expenses and support them during this difficult time.

Ivan Garza was only 25.

He had his whole life ahead of him.

May he rest in peace. 🕊️