Dwayne Haskins, Steelers quarterback, dies after being hit by dump truck in Florida

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins died early Saturday morning after he was hit by a dump truck near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was 24.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Haskins was walking on a "limited access facility (highway/expressway) for unknown reasons" around 6:37 a.m. The FHP said he was attempting to cross westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when he was hit by a dump truck.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, per the FHP, and traffic homicide investigators were on the scene. The highway patrol added that there are live-feed cameras near the scene, but footage is not recorded and that the dump truck driver stayed on the scene following the accident and no arrests have been made.

Haskins signed with the Steelers as a developmental QB in January 2021 but did not see any action during the 2021 season. He was in Florida training with other Steelers skill position players –quarterback Mitch Trubisky, running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth.  

"I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement Saturday. "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."

Haskins was a standout at Ohio State and in 2018, his only season as a starter, threw 50 touchdown passes, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

He was drafted with the 15th overall pick by Washington in the 2019 NFL draft. Haskins played in nine games his rookie season, throwing seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. In his second season, he threw for five touchdowns before being released in December 2020.

Haskins is survived by his wife, Kalabrya, parents Dwayne and Tamara, and a younger sister, Tamia.

"We are devastated to hear the news of the tragic passing of Dwayne Haskins, Jr. He was a young man with a tremendous amount of potential who had an infectious personality," Commanders owners Dan and Tanya Snyder said in a statement.

"To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. Our hearts and prayers are with the members of Dwayne's family and all of those who knew him and loved him."