Fotu Tuli Leiato, 21, was found dead early Friday morning in Oregon
A former Oregon University football player was found dead early Friday morning close to an area where his friend crashed his car hours earlier.
The Eugene Police Department said in a Facebook post that Fotu Tuli Leiato’s body was found in some heavy brush near Autzen Stadium at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Kinsrow Avenue in Eugene.
A woman walking by the area around 6.51am said she spotted a hand and brush over a person down a gravel path.
Hours earlier, around 2.31am, Leiato’s friend Pedro Chavarin Jr. had been involved in single-vehicle rollover crash near the area where the body was discovered.
Chavarin, who is suspected of drunk driving, had told police that there were no passengers in the vehicle when he crashed his Kia sedan.
Authorities said Leiato was in his friend’s car when it crashed and rolled over into some brush on the side of the road.
Chavarin, 22, was hospitalized after the accident and cited in lieu of custody for DUI.
![The former college football star's body was found near a crash site that had been cleared hours earlier. Leiato's friend, who was driving, had told police he was alone in the car when he crashed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/17/02/4D51932E00000578-0-image-a-46_1529200419983.jpg)
The former college football star’s body was found near a crash site that had been cleared hours earlier. Leiato’s friend, who was driving, had told police he was alone in the car when he crashed
![Leiato played for the University of Oregon Ducks for three seasons before he was dismissed in May](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/17/02/4D517F3900000578-0-image-m-51_1529200489034.jpg)
Leiato played for the University of Oregon Ducks for three seasons before he was dismissed in May
Leiato, from Steilacoom, Washington, played for the University of Oregon Ducks for three seasons.
The star linebacker was dismissed from the team in May following his April arrest when he was charged with theft, criminal trespassing and criminal mischief.
Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens and head football coach Mario Cristobal released a joint statement to the Oregonian on Leiato’s death.
‘We are saddened to learn of the passing of Fotu, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him,’ they said.
Former teammates and fans have been flooding Twitter with heartfelt condolences.
‘A brother gone to soon. It was a pleasure playing with a warrior like you. Rest easy Fotu Leiato!’ Dakota Prukop, a former Ducks player, tweeted.
![DJ Uiagalei, a quarterback for St John Bosco High School in California, posted: 'Rest In Peace to the fellow USO and the greatest hudl player of all time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/17/02/4D51A84300000578-0-image-a-52_1529200520743.jpg)
DJ Uiagalei, a quarterback for St John Bosco High School in California, posted: ‘Rest In Peace to the fellow USO and the greatest hudl player of all time
![Cyrus Habibi-Likio, an Oregon player, tweeted: 'Pleas God wake me up from this nightmare.... FoDuce come back uso please.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/17/02/4D51A83F00000578-0-image-a-53_1529200524256.jpg)
Cyrus Habibi-Likio, an Oregon player, tweeted: ‘Pleas God wake me up from this nightmare…. FoDuce come back uso please.’
!['A brother gone to soon. It was a pleasure playing with a warrior like you. Rest easy Fotu Leiato!' Dakota Prukop, a former Ducks player, tweeted.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/17/02/4D51A81F00000578-0-image-a-57_1529200561797.jpg)
‘A brother gone to soon. It was a pleasure playing with a warrior like you. Rest easy Fotu Leiato!’ Dakota Prukop, a former Ducks player, tweeted.
![Several people have been flooding Twitter with heartfelt comments about Leiato](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/17/02/4D51A83B00000578-0-image-a-54_1529200535635.jpg)
Several people have been flooding Twitter with heartfelt comments about Leiato
‘Heart and prayers are with the Leiato family right now as well as the Oregon Football Family after hearing of the loss of Fotu Leiato. May God comfort all those struggling and hurting from the loss of this young man!’ tweeted Morgan Scalley, defensive coordinator for the University of Utah.
Cyrus Habibi-Likio, an Oregon player, tweeted: ‘Pleas God wake me up from this nightmare…. FoDuce come back uso please.’
DJ Uiagalei, a quarterback for St John Bosco High School in California, posted: ‘Rest In Peace to the fellow USO and the greatest hudl player of all time, I am glad I had the honor to say I meet him and talk to him… FLY HIGH USO FOTU LEIATO ll’