Family of Texas HBCU Football Player Left Brain Dead After Car Crash Claimed Hospital Let Him Die to Take His Organs

The family of Terrence Howard, a 19-year-old student from Texas at the North Carolina Central University who passed away after being left brain dead from a car accident last week, claimed before he died that the hospital he was brought to was quick to "pull the plug" on him, in an effort to harvest his organs.

Howard was traveling on Interstate 85 on July 22 when he was involved in a crash between his vehicle and a BMW. When Howard got out of his car to check on the other driver, he was struck by a Ford SUV, according to CBS17.

On July 24, his father, Bishop Anthony Allen, shared on Facebook that his son was "still breathing and he's alive, we have a chance to see him move around this earth physically again."

Howard died on Thursday, after his family requested he be moved out of the Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, according to Newsone. In a series of Facebook Live posts before he died, Howard's family alleged that their son was recieving poor care because the hospital wanted to take him off life support.

In the posts, Howard's mother allegedly claimed that the hospital wanted to "kill" Terrence so they could take his organs and that doctors were "laughing" at them, refusing to help, according to the report.

Terrence's father can be seen in a TikTok video from inside the hospital room, accusing the hospital of letting Terrence die in order to harvest his organs.

A GoFundMe set up to help pay for Howard's medical expenses on July 25 confirmed the family was planning on moving Howard from Charlotte to a hospital in Houston. Bishop Allen shared the GoFundMe to his facebook on July 26.

"Terrance is more than just an athlete; he is a beloved son, brother, friend, and inspiration to many. In this critical moment, it is our turn to rally around him, to be the strength he needs to keep fighting," the author of the GoFundMe wrote.

Atrium health provided Newsone a statement on Sunday, saying that "our medical professionals are among the best in the nation and take every reasonable measure to protect and preserve the life and health of those in our care at all times."

It is unknown whether any organs were ever harvested from Terrence's body.

NCCU released a statement mourning Howard's death, providing a glimpse into what Terrence was like as a student on campus.

"His contagious excitement, energized personality, and infectious laughter made him someone everyone wanted to be around. He was a dedicated teammate, always ready to support, uplift, and inspire his fellow Eagles to give their best. He was also an avid reader and a lover of country music. He often serenaded his teammates on the field and during workouts, and his 'silly songs' were a source of entertainment and bonding among his peers. A committed scholar, Terrence Howard eagerly looked forward to the academic opportunities he would encounter while pursuing a bachelor's degree in behavioral health and social sciences. He had a strong desire to help others and aspired to build a fulfilling career in family relations following graduation," the university wrote, according to HBCUGameday.