Leafs GM Brian Burke's son Brendan dies in car accident along with passenger

Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke, September 8, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

The youngest son of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has died in a car crash.

The team said 21-year-old Brendan Burke was fatally injured in an accident Friday in Wayne County, Indiana. Police told a Daytona, Ohio television station a black jeep lost control in poor weather and slid into oncoming traffic, hitting another vehicle head on and killing Burke as well as 18-year-old Mark Reedy.

Brendan Burke made headlines in November after he discussed being gay in an ESPN.com story.

Brian Burke, who is also the general manager of the U.S. Olympic team, told ESPN, "I simply could not be more proud of Brendan than I am, and I love him as much as I admire him."

The family has asked for privacy.

MLSE president and CEO Richard Peddie said, "On behalf of the entire Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Brian Burke. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Burke family during this extremely difficult time."