Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace, a 19-year-old freshman defensive back at College of San Mateo, died after a single-vehicle crash on northbound Highway 101 near Yerba Buena Road in San Jose on September 20, 2026. Grace was a passenger in a 2013 Ford Fusion and was ejected during the crash; two of his CSM football teammates were also injured. His family and teammates have publicly remembered him as a determined young man with a warm personality, while the California Highway Patrol continues investigating the circumstances of the collision.
Introduction
The Ja’Marion Pop Grace obituary story is becoming a remembrance of a 19-year-old student-athlete whose college football career had only just begun.
Grace, known affectionately as “Pop,” was a freshman defensive back for the College of San Mateo Bulldogs. He died early Sunday, September 20, 2026, following a vehicle crash on northbound Highway 101 near Yerba Buena Road in San Jose, California. Two other College of San Mateo football players were injured in the same crash.
Grace was from Fairfield, California, and had previously played football at Vanden High School. His death has prompted tributes from his family, teammates and the wider College of San Mateo community.
His family has described him as a young man who was still finding his way, but who was determined and dedicated. His teammates remembered him for his energy, smile, humor and ability to make people around him feel included.
The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation. California Highway Patrol officials have said the driver lost control of the vehicle, but investigators have not publicly established why that happened.
What Happened to Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace?
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 2:06 a.m. on September 20, 2026, on northbound Highway 101 near Yerba Buena Road in San Jose.
According to California Highway Patrol information reported by Bay Area news organizations, a 2013 Ford Fusion was traveling northbound when the 19-year-old driver lost control.
Grace was a passenger in the vehicle.
During the crash, Grace was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries. He was 19 years old. The driver, also 19, was taken to a hospital with major injuries, while another passenger was also injured.
College of San Mateo later confirmed that the three people in the vehicle were CSM football players. College President Jennifer Taylor said one student had died, one remained hospitalized with serious injuries and another was recovering at home.
The incident occurred away from the College of San Mateo campus. The fatal crash happened on Highway 101 in San Jose.
Key details
- Name: Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace
- Age: 19
- Hometown: Fairfield, California
- College: College of San Mateo
- Class: Freshman
- Sport: Football
- Position: Defensive back
- Previous school: Vanden High School
- Date of crash: September 20, 2026
- Location: Highway 101 near Yerba Buena Road, San Jose
- Vehicle: 2013 Ford Fusion
- Other people involved: Two fellow CSM football players
- Investigation: California Highway Patrol investigation remains ongoing
The available reporting confirms these basic facts but does not establish a final explanation for the crash.
Who Was Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace?
Ja’Marion Grace was a young football player from Northern California who had recently moved from high school athletics into college football.
He attended Vanden High School in Fairfield, where he played football before enrolling at College of San Mateo. Reports identify him as a Fairfield native and a recent Vanden graduate.
At CSM, Grace played defensive back for the Bulldogs.
His college career was still in its early stages. That has been an important part of the reaction to his death: Grace was only 19 and had many years of education, football and personal experiences potentially ahead of him.
Local reporting also noted that Grace had played in CSM’s victory over Modesto Junior College the night before the crash.
That timing has made the loss particularly difficult for the football program. Teammates had shared the field with Grace only hours before the fatal crash.
Why Was He Called “Pop”?
Grace was widely known among family members, friends and teammates by the nickname “Pop.”
His family and the CSM football program have used the nickname when remembering him following his death.
His mother, Ashley Grant, also referred to him as “Mar.” In an interview with ABC7, she described how Grace had been in contact with the family only hours before the crash. She said the family expected to see him Sunday.
These details have helped relatives and friends remember Grace as a person rather than simply as a name connected with a fatal crash.
Family Remembers Ja’Marion Grace
Grace’s family has spoken publicly about the loss.
His mother, Ashley Grant, told ABC7 that she had spoken with her son on Saturday night before the crash. She recalled receiving a message from him and said that their final communication was a simple exchange in which he thanked her.
For the family, the shock was compounded by the sudden nature of the death.
Grant described her son as someone who knew how to keep people smiling and who naturally attracted others to him. His grandmother, Felicia Brown, also spoke about how deeply the family loved him and how much he would be missed.
KRON reported that family members gathered in Vacaville to remember Grace following his death.
His mother described him as a young man who was still trying to find his way but was determined and dedicated.
Those comments provide important context for an obituary: Grace’s story was not only about football or the circumstances of his death. It was also about his relationships with his family and the people who knew him personally.
College of San Mateo Football Team Pays Tribute
The College of San Mateo football program publicly remembered Grace after the crash.
The team described him as more than a teammate and said he was regarded as a brother within the program. The tribute highlighted his infectious energy and smile, along with his habit of dancing in the locker room, making jokes during team meetings and supporting teammates away from football.
The team’s message has become one of the central public tributes to Grace.
It emphasizes the personal qualities remembered by those around him rather than focusing solely on his statistics or position on the field.
For a young athlete who had only recently entered college football, the relationships he formed with teammates were clearly an important part of his experience at CSM.
What Did College Officials Say?
College of San Mateo President Jennifer Taylor addressed the campus community after the crash.
According to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle, Taylor said three CSM student-athletes had been in the vehicle. One died, one remained hospitalized with serious injuries and another was recovering at home. She also emphasized the importance of support and togetherness among the football team, coaches and wider college community.
The college’s response has focused on supporting students and the families affected by the tragedy.
That includes the two injured players as well as Grace’s teammates, coaches and classmates.
Because the injured students have not been publicly identified in the reliable reports reviewed for this article, their names are not being included here.
Two Other CSM Football Players Were Injured
Grace was not the only College of San Mateo football player affected by the crash.
Two teammates were also in the vehicle and suffered injuries.
College officials said one student remained hospitalized with serious injuries while another was recovering at home.
Their medical conditions can change, so information about their recovery should be based on new statements from the college, families or medical authorities rather than older reports.
The crash therefore affected multiple members of the CSM football program at the same time.
What Caused the Crash?
The exact cause of the crash remains unknown.
CHP’s preliminary information indicates that the driver of the 2013 Ford Fusion lost control while traveling northbound on Highway 101.
That information does not establish why the driver lost control.
Authorities have not publicly determined whether speed, distraction, road conditions, mechanical failure, impairment or another factor contributed to the collision.
CHP has also said it was not known at the time of reporting whether the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Consequently, claims on social media that assign a specific cause should not be treated as established facts.
The investigation remains active, and additional information could be released later.
Grace’s Football Journey
Grace’s football journey began before his time at College of San Mateo.
He played at Vanden High School in Fairfield before joining the CSM Bulldogs. Reports identified him as a recent Vanden graduate who was beginning the next stage of his athletic career.
At CSM, he joined the defensive backfield as a freshman.
His death came during the 2026 football season, making the loss especially difficult for teammates who had been sharing practices, meetings and games with him.
The Bulldogs had been competing during the season when the crash occurred, meaning the team was suddenly dealing with grief alongside its normal athletic responsibilities.
For Grace’s teammates, the football field had been one of the places where they knew him best.
A Young Player With More Ahead of Him
An obituary is often about more than the circumstances of death. It is also an opportunity to recognize the life that existed before the tragedy.
For Grace, that life was still unfolding.
At 19, he was beginning college, developing as a football player and building relationships within a new community.
His family remembered him as determined and dedicated. His teammates remembered his humor, energy and smile.
Those descriptions provide a picture of someone whose identity extended well beyond being a defensive back.
The loss is therefore being felt not only because a football player died, but because a young person with family, friends, teammates and future plans was suddenly gone.
Memorial and Funeral Information
Public reports reviewed for this article confirm that Grace’s family has begun mourning him and that relatives gathered in Vacaville to remember him.
A GoFundMe campaign has also been established to help with funeral expenses. The campaign was organized by Dominique Suber and identifies Grace as a son, grandson, brother and friend.
The campaign listed a $28,000 fundraising goal, with more than $15,000 reported raised by September 22. Fundraising totals can change, so that figure should not be treated as a current total without checking the campaign directly.
As of the latest reliable reports reviewed, a complete official obituary, funeral program or finalized public schedule for funeral services had not been identified.
That means readers should be cautious about websites claiming to have official funeral details unless the information can be traced to Grace’s family or another authorized source.
Why the Ja’Marion Pop Grace Obituary Matters
The Ja’Marion Pop Grace obituary is significant because it documents the life and loss of a young student-athlete who was known personally by his family and football community.
His death also affected two other young athletes who were injured in the same collision.
The story illustrates the importance of distinguishing between confirmed information and unanswered questions after a fatal crash.
At present, the confirmed facts include Grace’s identity, age, college football role, the location and timing of the collision, his death and the injuries to two teammates.
The reason the vehicle lost control remains an investigative question.
That distinction matters because premature claims about the cause of a fatal crash can cause additional harm to families and people involved.
What Happens Next?
The California Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation into the crash.
Investigators are asking potential witnesses to provide information about what happened.
Further findings could clarify why the Ford Fusion lost control and whether any additional factors contributed to the collision. Until investigators release more information, the circumstances should be described as preliminary.
Meanwhile, Grace’s family, friends and teammates continue to mourn him.
The College of San Mateo football program is also supporting the students affected by the crash, including the two injured players.
The family fundraiser provides one avenue for people who want to support Grace’s relatives with funeral-related expenses.
Remembering Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace
Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace was 19 years old when his life ended following the September 20 Highway 101 crash.
He was a Fairfield-area football player, a Vanden High School graduate and a freshman defensive back at College of San Mateo.
His family remembered his determination, dedication and ability to connect with people.
His teammates remembered the energy and humor he brought to the locker room.
The CSM football program’s tribute made clear that Grace was viewed as part of the Bulldogs family.
For those who knew him, those memories will remain more significant than the circumstances surrounding his final hours.
Grace’s story is ultimately the story of a young person who was loved by his family, valued by his teammates and remembered by a community that had only begun to see what he might accomplish.
Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace Obituary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ja’Marion Grace |
| Nickname | “Pop” |
| Age | 19 |
| Hometown | Fairfield, California |
| College | College of San Mateo |
| Class | Freshman |
| Sport | Football |
| Position | Defensive back |
| Previous school | Vanden High School |
| Date of death | September 20, 2026 |
| Crash location | Highway 101 near Yerba Buena Road, San Jose |
| Other CSM players involved | Two |
| Investigation | California Highway Patrol |
| Official cause of crash | Not yet determined |
| Funeral fundraiser | Established for family expenses |
| Publicly confirmed funeral arrangements | Not identified in the latest reliable reports reviewed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace?
Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace was a 19-year-old freshman defensive back for the College of San Mateo football team. He was from Fairfield, California, and previously attended Vanden High School.
What happened to Ja’Marion Grace?
Grace died after being ejected from a 2013 Ford Fusion during a single-vehicle crash on northbound Highway 101 near Yerba Buena Road in San Jose on September 20, 2026.
How old was Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace?
Grace was 19 years old when he died. He was a freshman at College of San Mateo.
Where did the Ja’Marion Grace accident happen?
The crash occurred on northbound Highway 101 near Yerba Buena Road in San Jose, California, at approximately 2:06 a.m. on September 20, 2026.
Were other College of San Mateo football players injured?
Yes. Two other CSM football players were involved in the crash and injured. College officials said one remained hospitalized with serious injuries while another was recovering at home.
What caused Ja’Marion Grace’s accident?
The final cause has not been publicly established. CHP reported that the driver lost control of the vehicle, but investigators had not determined why. CHP also said it was unknown whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
Has Ja’Marion Grace’s family announced funeral arrangements?
A family fundraiser has been established to help with funeral expenses, but the latest reliable reports reviewed did not identify a complete official public funeral schedule. Readers should rely on announcements from Grace’s family or authorized representatives for service details.
How is College of San Mateo remembering Ja’Marion Grace?
The CSM football program publicly honored Grace, describing him as a teammate and brother and remembering his energy, smile, humor and support for those around him.
