Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Lt. Indiana Miranda confirmed the crash on Interstate 595, heading west. Haskins was pronounced dead at the scene.
Miranda did not say why 24-year-old Haskins was on the highway at the time. The accident resulted in the highway being closed for several hours.
“He was just walking on the highway and he was hit,” Miranda told the Associated Press.
Huskins’s death sparked an outburst of grief from many corners of the NFL, especially his former teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Gatekeepers.
“I am devastated and have no words for the unfortunate death of Dwayne Huskins,” said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. “He quickly became a member of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the pitch and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a formidable friend to so many. I’m really crashing.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family at this difficult time.”
Statement by Coach Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/hI5QaKzBUq
– @ steelers
Haskins was selected by Washington in the first round of the 2019 draft by the State of Ohio. He started seven games as a rookie, scoring 2-5. He was 1-5 in six starts the following season for the team, then was released.
Washington coach Ron Rivera said he was “absolutely saddened” to learn of Haskins’ death.
“Dwayne was a talented young man who had a long life ahead of him,” Rivera said in a statement. “This is a very sad moment and I honestly have no words. I know I’m talking about the rest of our team saying they’re going to miss it a lot. Our whole team is sending our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Haskins family right now.” .
Statement by coach Ron Rivera pic.twitter.com/tVBLva7Dsd
– @ Administrators
The State of Ohio posted a photo of Haskins on its Twitter feed. He wrote: “Leader. Legend. Forever a Buckeye.”
Leader. Legend. Forever a Buckeye. pic.twitter.com/yxwaIewN9V
– @ OhioStateFB
The Steelers gave Haskins the opportunity to resurrect his career in January 2021, when they signed him a month after his release from Washington. Humiliated by the decision, Haskins stressed that he was willing to work hard and absorb as much as he could from Ben Rothlisberger and Mason Rudolph. He made the roster as the third player, but only dressed once, served as a backup in the Detroit tie after Roethlisberger entered the COVID-19 protocol the night before the game.
“People lost a great man today,” Steelers star TJ Watt wrote on Twitter. “When Dwayne first entered the locker room, I could say he was an optimistic guy. He always made people smile, never taking life for granted.”
The world has lost a great man today. When Dwayne first entered the locker room, I could tell he was an optimistic guy. He always made people smile, he never took life for granted. Its effect on me will last forever.
– @ _ TJWatt
Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert praised Haskins for his improvement since joining the team, and the Steelers re-signed him on a one-year contract as a free agent in March. He was expected to compete with Rudolph and Mitch Trumpiski for a place.
“Dwayne meant so much to so many people,” Steelers defender Cameron Heyward tweeted. “His smile was contagious and he was a guy you wanted to be around. We are all shocked that we lost him. We will miss him too. We lost you very early. Fortunately I had the opportunity to meet you. RIP DH.”
ESPN was the first to report that Haskins had died.
Haskins appeared to be working in South Florida this week with several teammates, including Trumpiski, Naji Harris and Pat Freiermouth.
“Twisted,” Rudolph said on social media.
