MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Local 10 News obtained police body camera video Wednesday from the night that a 21-year-old man lost part of his leg after a car accident involving Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith.
The crash occurred on Feb. 6, a short time after the Heat’s 121-95 victory over the Orlando Magic.
The footage was captured on body camera video by a Miami-Dade Police Department officer.
A police report from the crash states Highsmith was cited with “careless and negligent driving” by a MDPD officer.
The video shows a police officer questioning Highsmith about how the crash occurred.
Highsmith, who needed to be consoled by a woman near the crash site, told the officer that the vehicle he slammed into had been stopped with no lights on, which was later confirmed by witnesses at the scene.
“The signal lights weren’t on,” Highsmith told police. “He got out (of) the car and by the time he got out, it was too late.”
Additional video showed an emotional Highsmith putting his hands over his face appearing to be on the verge of tears.
According to the report, Alekxei 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.
Pino, meanwhile, filed a lawsuit in Florida last month and is seeking unspecified damages in excess of $50,000.
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.”
Highsmith is currently in his third season with the Heat after originally signing a 10-day contract with the club in December 2021. He is averaging 5 points per game, 2.8 rebounds and 1 assist in 2024.