What do we know about the settlement that late quarterback Dwayne Haskins’ estate has reached?
It’s been a little more than a year since the Steelers’ quarterback tragically lost his life, but it may be that his family can have some degree of closure and peace.
Though there are still a number of ongoing legal processes, the late Haskins’ estate has won an important victory on the road to securing damages that were incurred by the quarterback’s untimely death.
Dwayne Haskins’ estate arrives at a settlement
According to reports on Friday, The estate of former NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins has reached a combined settlement in its lawsuit against the driver, owner, and broker of the dump truck that struck and killed him last year. The three are among a group of 14 people or entities against whom Haskins’ wife, Kalabrya, filed a suit last week. As confirmed by the estate’s lawyer, Rick Ellsley, the case continues to proceed against multiple other defendants in Broward County, while settlements with other parties have already been secured.
What happened to Dwayne Haskins?
Haskins who was 24 years old at the time, died in a tragic roadside accident on April 9th, 2022, when he was struck by the aforementioned truck while walking alongside a highway after his car ran out of gas. It should be mentioned that a toxicology report later revealed that his blood alcohol content was between .20 and .24 at the time of his death. In a statement that was previously released by Ellsley on behalf of Kalabrya, it was alleged that the truck was speeding, carrying excessive cargo, suffering from brake problems, and traveling on low-tread tires with separated sidewalls. The statement also went on to claim that several other cars in front of and behind the truck saw Haskins and avoided him and that their lights and a bright traffic construction signal board had illuminated Haskins. It is understood that the driver’s cell phone records were not disclosed nor did he comply with a blood alcohol test.
What else should you know about the case of Dwayne Haskins’ estate?
As per reports, Haskins’ estate is also suing the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), a rental car company, and four people who it is alleged, drugged and robbed Haskins before his death. Where the FDOT is concerned, the suit claims that the department failed to properly maintain the road, provide adequate lighting, or post a lower speed limit while construction was being performed. As for the rental company, the suit states that the company provided Haskins with a defective pickup truck such that it resulted in him running out of gas.
A standout football player at Ohio State who set Big Ten Conference records for single-season passing yards and touchdowns, Haskins was a deserved finalist for the Heisman trophy during his collegiate career and was chosen by the Washington Commanders as the No. 15 pick overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. After two seasons with the Commanders where he played largely as a backup before being released following a Week 16 game against the Carolina Panthers. From there he moved to the Pittsburgh Steelers and was again behind in the pecking order as he was listed as third-string quarterback behind Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph. Just short of a month before his death he signed a one-year restricted free agent tender by the team. He would have celebrated his 25th birthday just a month later on May 3rd.