Former NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins was tragically killed on the morning of April 9, 2022. While on foot, Haskins was hit and killed by a dump truck along I-595 in Broward County, Florida.
A year later, Haskins’ family filed a lawsuit in an attempt to answer questions surrounding the circumstances that led to his death.
Haskins was legally drunk at the time of the accident. He also tested positive for two drugs, ketamine, and norketamine, usually used for anesthesia and pain relief. However, they commonly get misused for recreation. His death was ruled an accident by a Broward County medical examiner.
The lawsuit filed on the behalf of Haskins’ wife, Kalabrya, alleges Dwayne Haskins was a victim of a blackmail and robbery conspiracy by four individuals. Two restaurants, a golf driving range, and a hotel are also named as defendants.
“It is believed that Dwayne was targeted and drugged as a part of a blackmail and robbery conspiracy,” family attorney Rick Ellsely said in a statement. “What occurred in the hours before Dwayne was killed, many questions remain unanswered.”
Ellsley noted that Haskins’ highly-expensive watch was stolen from him shortly before his death.
Also, the lawsuit alleges negligence by the dump truck driver. It noted Haskins was “feet away” from making it across the roadway. However, the truck was old, going faster than the speed limit, had excessive cargo and brake system problems, and was traveling on low-tread tires.
The truck struck Haskins after multiple cars were able to avoid him.
Haskins was in South Florida with a contingent of his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates for off-season training. A Steelers official told the medical examiner at the time Haskins went out the night of April 8 with a relative or companion named Joey — a Joey Smith was named in the Haskins family’s lawsuit. The two went to dinner and later a nightclub.
On the morning of April 9, Haskins left his car to get gas on foot. Haskins spoke to his wife on the phone shortly before his death. His wife, Kalabrya, called 9-1-1 in Pittsburgh after the QB did not return her calls.
Haskins got drafted by the Washington Commanders franchise in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft after a historic sophomore season in college at Ohio State. Haskins signed with the Steelers in 2021 after Washington released him toward the end of the 2020 season.
Dwayne Haskins was 24 years old at the time of his death.
