Dwayne Haskins’ Wrongful Death Lawsuit Has Been Settled and Dismissed

Former Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) drops back to pass during the preseason game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 12, 2021 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

The wrongful death lawsuit involving former Pittsburgh Steelers quarter Dwayne Haskins has been settled and dismissed. The dismissal happened on Wednesday, according to attorney Rick Ellsley, who represented the Haskins estate. The terms of the settlements were not disclosed.

“All of the settlements that were obtained have now been paid and so the wrongful death case has now been closed,” Ellsley said.

Haskins was fatally struck by a dump truck in Florida in April of 2022.

Haskins was in Florida training with Steelers teammates, including fellow quarterback Mitch Trubisky and wide receiver Chase Claypool, who said he was close to being able to help Haskins before his death.

Haskins was attempting to cross the interstate to return to his vehicle, which had run out of gas, when he was hit by the dump truck in the center lane. He was also struck by a second vehicle. The drivers of both vehicles cooperated with the police investigation. Haskins had ketamine in his system and a blood alcohol content of at least .20%.

Dwayne Haskins
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

The lawsuit, filed by Haskins’ widow Kalabrya Haskins, alleged negligence by the driver of the dump truck that struck Haskins, the state government entity tasked with maintaining the roadway, the company that provided his rental car, and the nightclub he attended hours before the crash, according to Tom Schad of USA Today.

In August of 2023, Kalabrya Haskins, reached a settlement with three of the initial 14 defendants, including the owners and driver of the dump truck. USA Today reports that a series of settlements with other individual defendants followed, according to court records, leaving only three active defendants at the time of Wednesday’s filing, which served as a final resolution to the lawsuit.

The parents and sister of Haskins filed a lawsuit against his widow, Kalabrya Haskins, in August, according to sports law reporter Jason Morrin of Conduct Detrimental. Plaintiffs allege that Kalabrya, whom they had never met prior to her marriage to Dwayne, has been harassing them over their attempts to use his name, image, and likeness rights on social media. 

Per Morrin, the plaintiffs claim that Kalabrya challenged the establishment of the Haskins Family Foundation Inc. and successfully requested disablement of the Instagram social media accounts of Dwayne Haskins, Sr., Tamia Haskins, and the Haskins Family Foundation Inc.

The Haskins’ are suing Kalabrya of misusing Dwayne Jr.’s name and image on social media and refusing to share her husband’s ashes. In addition, per the lawsuit, Kalabrya is administrating Dwayne’s estate against the wishes of his parents.

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