By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-07-19 17:30:42 | Updated at 2026-07-20 11:09:04
17 hours ago
A beloved college athlete in Southern California was killed when her vehicle plunged 80 feet down an embankment on Wednesday afternoon.
Jhenéy Wallace, a 20-year-old girl who dreamed of playing in the WNBA, played college basketball at Victor Valley Community College when she was killed in a rollover accident on the I-15 freeway in the Cajon Pass.
“On Wednesday, 07/15/2026, at 01:51 p.m., the California Highway Patrol responded to the Southbound Interstate 15 Freeway north of Kenwood Avenue in Devore.
“Passenger Jheney Harris, a 20-year-old resident of Victorville, was pronounced dead at the scene,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release.
“She was a great daughter. She was my best friend, my first-born. Always kept me smiling and encouraged me to do things. She was the best sister to her little sister and brother, very bubbly, always happy and loving,” Wallace’s mother told KTLA5.
Her mother, Tamara Wallace, had initially called her daughter, but Jhenéy never answered. Instead, an officer picked up the call and delivered the tragic news.
While dreaming of becoming a professional basketball player, Jhenéy also played varsity volleyball at her local high school in Victorville.
“Jheney was more than a teammate—she was a friend, a daughter, a sister, cousin, granddaughter, and a cherished member of our Ram family whose impact will never be forgotten,” her college basketball team posted on Instagram.
Along with Wallace were two other people in the car.
The two people were Wallace’s best friend and the friend’s mother. Both of them were critically injured and later transported to a local trauma center.
Officials have not released full details on the cause of the incident.
A GoFundMe was created to help the family in preparing for her service and has raised over $14,500 of its $15,000 goal.
A memorial event honoring her life will also take place at Civic Center Park in Apple Valley on July 19 at 5 p.m.
