CAROLINE COUNTY, VIRGINIA — A Michigan State University hockey player was killed early Saturday morning after his vehicle struck a disabled tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 in Virginia, according to Virginia State Police.
The crash happened around 3:40 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, in the northbound lanes of I-95 in Caroline County, near the 115-mile marker and a few miles from the Route 606 exit.
Tractor-Trailer Was Disabled on Shoulder
Virginia State Police said a 2021 International LT625 tractor-trailer had become disabled and pulled onto the right shoulder of I-95.
Shortly after the tractor-trailer stopped, a 2011 Honda CR-V struck the truck from behind.
The driver of the Honda was identified as 22-year-old Preston J. Korytkowski of Rockford, Michigan.
Police said Korytkowski died at the scene.
The tractor-trailer driver sustained minor injuries.
Korytkowski Was Michigan State Hockey Captain
Korytkowski was captain of Michigan State University’s American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II hockey team.
He spent four seasons with the Spartans and played left wing.
According to hockey records, Korytkowski appeared in 103 games and recorded 10 goals and 12 assists during his college hockey career.
Team Shares Tribute
The Michigan State Spartans shared a tribute after Korytkowski’s death.
“Posting this with a heavy heart. Our teammate, friend and Captain Preston sadly passed away last evening,” the team wrote.
Friends, teammates, and people who knew Korytkowski also shared condolences, remembering him as a beloved teammate and friend.
One former coach wrote that he had the honor of coaching Korytkowski in high school and described him as an amazing person.
Another person called him “the best human,” while others referred to him by the nickname “Hands.”
“So heartbroken over Preston,” one commenter wrote. “‘Hands’ made everyone around him better just by being there, and the whole team loved him.”
Crash Remains Under Investigation
No additional details about what led the Honda to strike the disabled tractor-trailer were immediately released.
Virginia State Police said the crash remains under investigation.
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