Haywood Highsmith appears very emotional in new police body camera footage, which shows the NBA star immediately after a horrific car accident in Florida last month.
The Miami Heat forward was cited for careless driving in connection with the Feb. 6 crash, which left a 21-year-old man in critical condition and requiring a partial amputation of his right leg.
New footage shows Miami-Dade police officers taking a statement from a tearful Highsmith, who tells them, “The signal lights weren’t on.” He got out of the car and when he got out, it was too late.
At the time of the accident, Alekxei Pino had been helping another motorist with his disabled Toyota SUV, which had its lights off, when Highwood hit him in his 2021 Audi A5.
As he attempts to explain the events to an officer, a visibly shaken Highwood breaks down in tears and bows with his head in his hands.
Haywood Highsmith was very emotional after a terrible car accident last month.
NBA star breaks down in tears in new Miami-Dade police body camera footage
Highsmith is visibly shaken after punching 21-year-old Alekxei Pino, who required a partial leg amputation
Highsmith’s girlfriend, Mel Díaz Carrasco, tries to comfort him by rubbing his back, while assuring him that Pino is not dead.
As a police officer checks Highwood’s Audi, the vehicle’s airbags are seen deploying, while debris is scattered all over the road with fire trucks and several police cars on the scene with their emergency lights on.
Other witnesses can be heard discussing the incident in the background, with one of them saying, “I didn’t have any emergency lights on.” Absolutely.’
“It was just abandoned in the middle,” another added, “turned off.”
While the accident was not fatal, Pino suffered serious injuries, resulting in an above-the-knee amputation and numerous other procedures.
Pino sued the basketball player on February 17, seeking unspecified damages estimated at more than $50,000.
His attorney, Manuel Dobrinsky, described “a long road of rehabilitation ahead” for Pino, who at the time was still in the hospital recovering.
Pino’s family has created a GoFundMe to help with his recovery process and we hope to raise $100,000. It has already raised more than $34,000.
New footage shows Miami-Dade police officers taking a statement from a tearful Highsmith.
Highsmith’s girlfriend, Mel Díaz Carrasco, tries to console him after arriving at the scene.
Carrasco rubs her boyfriend’s back assuring him that Pino ‘is not dead’
As a police officer searches Highwood’s Audi, the vehicle’s airbags are seen deploying.
Debris can be seen scattered across the road and emergency services are at the scene.
In the background you can see fire trucks and several police cars with their lights on.
Pino’s family has created a GoFundMe to help with his recovery, which has raised $34,395.
Highwood was traveling home from the Heat’s game against the Orlando Magic at nearby Kaseya Center around 11:30 p.m. and was driving 45 mph in a 40 mph zone when he collided with Pino and the other vehicle from behind, according to a report police.
Police believe drugs and alcohol were not involved, but say Highsmith may have been distracted. As a result, he was cited for reckless driving.
The Miami Heat released a statement after the accident, saying their “heart goes out to those who were injured.”
Highsmith did not play in a game against the San Antonio Spurs the night after the accident, but did return against the Boston Celtics on February 11.