Heat’s Haywood Highsmith cited with careless driving in crash that critically injured man
Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith was cited for careless driving in a car crash Tuesday night that sent a man to the hospital in critical condition, according to a Miami-Dade Police Department report.
The Heat issued a statement Wednesday that said Highsmith was in the crash on his way home from their win over the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center.
About 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, a 1999 Toyota 4Runner SUV with its lights off was disabled on Southwest 136th Street near Southwest 138th Avenue in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, the crash report said.
Highsmith was driving west on Southwest 136th Street in a 2021 Audi A5 at an estimated 45 mph, 5 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, according to the crash report.
A man was in the road, helping a woman with her disabled car as Highsmith approached, the report says. Highsmith wasn’t able to stop his car in time and crashed into the disabled car and the man, who was directly behind it, according to the report.
The force sent the disabled car about 50 to 60 yards west, where it came to a stop. A security guard who was patrolling the area corroborated the account the woman gave to officers, the report said.
Highsmith was not injured.
The man, identified in the report as Alekxei Pino, was lying supine in the road when a Miami-Dade Police officer arrived.
He was “suffering from a partial amputation on his right leg,” a fractured left leg and a possible broken left arm, the report said.
The officer treated Pino until fire rescue arrived shortly after and took him to Jackson South Medical Center. He was in critical condition, and the report said his injuries were incapacitating.
Krysten Brenlla, a spokesperson for Jackson Health System, said in an email Thursday afternoon that the man remained in critical condition but was stable.
Highsmith was driving in a “careless or negligent manner” at the time of the crash, according to the report, and was issued a citation. The citation is not considered criminal, said Det. Angel Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Miami-Dade Police.
Highsmith did not play Wednesday in the Heat game against the San Antonio Spurs “due to personal reasons,” the team’s statement said.
“Our hearts go out to those who were injured,” the statement said. “We will have no further comment at this time.”
Jerry Dianis, the agent for Highsmith, issued the following statement Thursday evening:
“On his way home after the Miami Heat game against the Orlando Magic, Haywood Highsmith was involved in a car accident that injured one person. At approximately 11:20 pm, Haywood struck a pedestrian pushing an unlit disabled car down the middle of a dark road. Haywood immediately rushed to help the person pushing the car who had been injured. Haywood assisted a bystander who applied a tourniquet to the injury and stayed on the scene talking to the injured man offering words of comfort until an ambulance took him to the hospital. Mr. Highsmith had not consumed alcohol or drugs and was not speeding. This was an unfortunate accident. We have been notified that the person sustained significant injuries but is in stable condition. Haywood and his family are praying for him. Haywood is of course shaken by this and appreciates the support and prayers he has received from the Miami Heat and fans. We will have no further comment.”
Highsmith is expected to rejoin the Heat for practice Friday.
Sun Sentinel staff writer Ira Winderman contributed to this report.
