Kalabrya Haskins Asks for Prayers, Privacy Through Investigation

Kalabrya Haskins, the widow of late Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins, issued a statement through an attorney, requesting privacy and for the public to withhold judgement after the Broward County, Florida medical examiner released a report on Monday that said Haskins was legally intoxicated and had drugs in his system when he was killed on April 9.

Haskins’ statement, released through attorney Rick Ellsley, emphasized the life achievements of the 24-year-old quarterback and his plans for the future.

“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.”

According to the medical examiner, Haskins had .20 blood-alcohol level at his time of death and also had ketamine and norketamine, anesthetic medications that are sometimes used recreationally, in his system. His cause of death was due to blunt-force trauma and it was ruled accidental.

Haskins was killed while attempting to cross Interstate 595 near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on foot on the morning of April 9. Kalabrya Haskins told 911 operators that he had run out of gas and was walking to get has when he was struck and killed.

A preliminary accident report filed by the Florida Highway Patrol on April 20 established that Haskins was “improperly in the roadway.” Haskins was attempting to cross the interstate when he was hit by a dump truck in the center lane. He was also struck by a second vehicle. The drivers of both vehicles cooperated with the police investigation.

The medical examiner’s report said that there was a female companion of Haskins’ inside his vehicle that was uninjured. The woman was not identified and her relationship with Haskins was not established. The examiner’s report did establish that Haskins had been drinking at a club the night before the incident.

Haskins was in Florida training with several teammates, including new quarterback Mitch Trubisky, at the time of the accident. The Steelers and Kalabrya Haskins held a memorial service in Pittsburgh on April 22, which was attended by dozens of Haskins’ coaches, teammates, and Steelers executives.