The family of former NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins have filed a lawsuit claiming the late Pittsburgh Steelers star was drugged, robbed and extorted before he was fatally hit on a motorway last year.
Filed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the lawsuit claims Haskins was drugged and robbed by a man and three women in the hours before the 9 April 2022 incident. The lawsuit - filed against several people, businesses and the state of Florida - also names the driver and owner of the dump truck that fatally struck Haskins, alleging it exceeded the speed limit while possessing worn tires.
Haskins had been in South Florida for offseason workouts with Steelers teammates when the accident happened. The lawsuit alleges the incident took place at a Boca Raton hotel, a high-end driving range, a bar and a nightclub.
The lawsuit claims the pickup truck the quarterback rented had a defect that meant it ran out of gas, while the family also alleges the the state highway department didn't properly maintain and light the road, or post a lower speed limit while construction work was being completed, suggesting a temporary sign blocked visibility on the motorway.
Family attorney Rick Ellsley released a statement declaring the lawsuit will allow him to subpoena documents and question those who were with Haskins. His statement read: “As to what occurred in the hours before Dwayne was killed, many questions remain unanswered.
“It is believed that Dwayne was targeted and drugged as part of a blackmail and robbery conspiracy. In fact, his highly-expensive watch was stolen from him shortly before his death.”
Witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol that Haskins was trying to wave down cars while standing in the middle lane of the Interstate 595 near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after running out of fuel when he was hit by the truck and then an SUV. A death report issued in May by the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office claimed he died of blunt force trauma.
According to his autopsy, Haskins’ blood-alcohol content was 0.20 - two-and-a-half times the 0.08 legal limit for driving in the state. However, someone of Haskins’ weight (104kg) would have needed at least 10 drinks in the preceding hours to reach that level.
Haskins also had the strong painkiller ketamine and its metabolite norketamine in his system. The drug can be prescribed by a doctor, but is also known to be abused recreationally. It is unclear whether Haskins was prescribed the medications.
Haskins made a name for himself as he starred at Ohio State in 2018, setting several Buckeyes passing records. He was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by Washington before being released after successive 3-10 seasons. He signed with the Steelers as a backup and never appeared for the AFC North franchise.
