In the wake of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins’ tragic death when he was struck and killed by a dump truck on a Florida highway on April 9, several details emerged on May 23 when a toxicology report and investigative report were released by the Broward County Medical Examiner and law enforcement authorities.
The report stated that Haskins’ blood alcohol levels were .24 and .20 — three times the legal limit of .08 in the state of Florida. Additionally, he tested positive for ketamine and norketamine. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.
Former first-round pick Dwayne Haskins tragically killed in car accident in April
A former first-round draft pick from Ohio State selected by the Washington franchise before being released and joining the Steelers as a backup, Haskins was 24 years old.
Piecing together the final hours of his life, a report by law enforcement authorities stated that Haskins went to dinner with a friend or cousin and then to a nightclub in South Florida where “they drank heavily and at some point, they got into a fight, separating.”
After leaving, Haskins’ car had run out of gas on the highway. At that point, Haskins left his car to get gas, which was when he was hit by the truck.
His wife, Kalabrya Haskins, told a 911 police dispatcher that her husband called her and informed her he was going to get gas. Because Haskins hadn’t called her back to update her, she called 911 to request a welfare check.
The report determined that this traffic incident was an accident. No one has been charged with a crime. In April, the crash report concluded that there was no fault by the driver. Haskins was also hit by a second car that tried to avoid hitting him.
The medical examiner’s investigation report, cited by multiple reports, including Andy Slater of Fox Sports in Miami, added that an unnamed “female companion” was in Haskins’ car and that she said that Haskins had gone to find gas for the car. Her relationship with Haskins wasn’t determined, per the report.
Statement issued on behalf of Haskins’ widow
Kalabrya Haskins’ law firm, The Ellsley Law Firm, issued a statement on her behalf Monday night after the revelations about the nature of his death.
“Dwayne Haskins, Jr. was tragically killed on April 9, 2022. He was a loving and dedicated husband, a son, and a brother. He wanted to be a father and eventually a grandfather. He was a humanitarian who loved children and animals. As a young man, Dwayne was a nationally recognized scholar-athlete while in high school in Maryland. Dwayne was a record-breaking quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was an All Big Ten Academic Student Athlete.
“Dwayne was the MVP at the Big Ten Championship. He was the MVP at the Rose Bowl. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Dwayne was the 15th overall pick at the 2019 NFL Draft for Washington. When he passed away, he was a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and he was loved by his coaches and his teammates.
“Dwayne Haskins was all these things and so much more. On behalf of Dwayne’s wife, his family, and his memory, and on behalf of the truth, we respectfully request and pray for privacy, for patience, and for the public to withhold any judgment during this period while the law enforcement authorities continue to investigate and conduct their important work.”
Haskins remembered by Steelers and Buckeyes
The former Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year played in nine games his rookie season, throwing seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He passed for five touchdowns in his second NFL campaign. In January 2021, he signed with the Steelers.
Haskins had been training in South Florida with other Steelers players, including running back Najee Harris, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and tight end Pat Freiermuth. He had recently posted a light-hearted video with Harris. His final post was a motivational quote: “It is what it is will keep you at peace.”
In a statement at the time of Haskins’ death, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his emotions.
“I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Tomlin said in a statement released by the team. “He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers both on the field and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family during this difficult time.”
Ohio State’s official football program released a statement shortly following the news, saying, “Leader. Legend. Forever a Buckeye.”
“We mourn the tragic loss of our GL family member Dwayne Haskins,” Goal Line Sports, Haskins’ sports agency, said in a statement. “There are no words to define this grief. Our prayers and condolences go out to his family and the Steelers family. Rest in power, Dwayne.”