Charlie Davies, U.S. Forward Seriously Injured in Car Crash Near Washington D.C., Passenger Ashley Roberta Killed in Accident

Charlie Davies, 23, a forward on the U.S. soccer team, has been injured in a fatal car accident early Tuesday on the George Washington Memorial Parkway near Washington D.C. Another passenger in the vehicle, Ashley J. Roberta, was killed in the accident. Police said the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle, which hit a guard rail and split in half. This sad turn of events might impact America's hopes of achieving anything significant at the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa. Davies was one of the most promising players in the past year.

According to media reports, Davies underwent more than five hours of surgery at Washington Hospital Center and afterward was described as being in "serious" condition. It has been said that the injuries he sustained are not life-threatening, but it was too early to speculate on how it affects his future in professional soccer.

Davies, who plays for FC Sochaux in the French league, made his debut on the national soccer stage in June 2007. He has played in 17 games for the U.S., scoring four goals.