MIAMI – The 21-year-old man who lost part of his leg during a car accident involving Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith earlier this month is now suing the NBA player, court records show.
According to court documents, Alekxei Pino, 21, filed the lawsuit in Florida last week and is seeking unspecified damages in excess of $50,000.
The crash occurred on Feb. 6 a short time after the Heat’s 121-95 victory over the Orlando Magic.
A police report from the crash states Highsmith was cited with careless and negligent driving by the Miami-Dade Police Department.
According to the report, Pino was on the road helping a woman with her disabled car when Highsmith, who was driving west on Southwest 136th Street in a 2021 Audi, was traveling at an estimated 45 mph in a 40 mph zone and wasn’t able to stop his car when he noticed the disabled vehicle in the road.
Authorities confirmed Highsmith’s car crashed into the disabled vehicle and Pino, who was standing directly behind the vehicle.
Pino was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and had a partial amputation of his right leg, in addition to suffering a fractured left leg and a possible broken left arm, a police report stated.
Jerry Dianis, Highsmith’s agent, said his client had not consumed alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.
TMZ previously noted the police report stated Highsmith may have been distracted by unknown circumstances.
Manuel Dobrinsky, Pino’s attorney, said in a statement obtained by TMZ that his client is still in the hospital recovering with “a very long road of rehabilitation ahead of him.”
Dianis released a statement last Thursday night that read, in part:
“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 currently in his third season with the Heat after originally signing a 10-day contract with the club in December 2021. He has appeared in 40 games this season, including each of the last three before the All-Star break after sitting out a Feb. 7 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Read the court filings: