Sandy MaloneBroward County, FL – Former Ohio State football legend and Pittsburgh Steelers’ backup quarterback’s family has filed a lawsuit that claims the National Football League (NFL) player was “targeted and drugged as part of a blackmail and robbery conspiracy” before he was hit and killed by a dump truck on a Florida highway.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said the incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on April 9 when the 24-year-old Haskins was trying to cross a highway on foot in Broward County, NBC News reported.
FHP Lieutenant Indiana Miranda said in an email that the NFL player was walking on “a limited access facility for unknown reasons” and tried to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 while traffic was coming.
Lt. Miranda said Haskins collided with an oncoming dump truck and was killed, NBC News reported.
The autopsy report indicated that Haskins’ blood-alcohol level at the time of his death was .20, WEAR reported.
The lawsuit filed in Broward County court in March on behalf of Haskins’ widow, Kalabrya Haskins, claimed that the football player was the subject of a “blackmail and robbery conspiracy” at the time of his death.
One year ago yesterday, #NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins died after being struck by a dump truck on a highway in Miami. A civil lawsuit has officially been filed alleging wrongdoing in Haskins' death:
“It is believed that Dwayne was targeted and drugged as part of a blackmail and… pic.twitter.com/D1kykpNeaP
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 10, 2023
The defendants named in the suit included four individuals, two restaurants, a golf driving range, and a hotel as all part of the alleged conspiracy, WEAR reported.
There wasn’t much detail about the conspiracy and bribery allegations in the initial complaint.
The lawsuit also alleged that the truck driver who fatally struck Haskins refused to provide a blood sample to police after the crash.
The complaint also claimed that the truck driver was speeding, “carrying excessive cargo, had brake system problems, and was traveling on low tread tires with separated sidewalls,” according to WEAR.
Dwayne Haskins’ attorney has filed a lawsuit one year after Haskins’ death — based on previously unseen evidence. The release, via Rick Ellsley of The Ellsley Law Firm: pic.twitter.com/1F4c13qu6L
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 10, 2023
The former Buckeye, who stepped in and led Ohio State to victory in the Rose Bowl in 2018 after senior starter J.T. Barret was injured, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Haskins was the starting quarterback for former Head Coach Urban Meyer’s last game at the powerhouse Big Ten school where he had always dreamed of playing.
1 year ago a young man with an infectious smile had his life taken far too soon. Rest in peace, Dwayne Haskins. Forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/CCvwHax3L3
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) April 9, 2023
He was selected 15th in the 2019 NFL draft by what was then still the Washington Redskins, WRC reported.
He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2018.
Haskins spent two seasons with Washington and played in 16 NFL games before repeated disciplinary actions got him booted off the team.
Today we remember Dwayne Haskins, who tragically passed away one year ago today. 🙏 #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/Dkq6eibNiW
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) April 9, 2023
He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as a backup quarterback in 2021 but had not yet seen any playing time with that franchise, according to The Lantern.
Holly Matkin
