Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith is facing legal action after a car accident involving a young man named Alekxei Pino, who sustained severe injuries, including a partial leg amputation.
Reports indicate that Pino has filed a lawsuit against Highsmith seeking damages in excess of $50,000. The incident occurred on February 6 in Florida while Pino was assisting a stranded motorist. Highsmith’s vehicle collided with the disabled vehicle, striking Pino who was standing behind it.
Allegations in the lawsuit suggest that Highsmith was traveling above the speed limit at the time of the accident, which resulted in Pino’s life-altering injuries. Highsmith, who was returning from a game at the Kesaya Center in Miami, was cited by the Miami-Dade Police Department for careless and negligent driving. The police report indicated that Highsmith was driving at 45 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone. Speculation arose that Highsmith may have been distracted at the time of the crash. Pino’s legal representative, Manuel Dobrinsky, stated that Pino is still hospitalized and undergoing medical treatment for his injuries.
Dobrinsky emphasized that Pino was merely attempting to assist a stranded motorist, and the tragic outcome has been devastating. Highsmith’s agent, Jerry Dianis, countered by stating that Highsmith immediately offered assistance to Pino after the accident, including the application of a tourniquet by a bystander. Highsmith has been with the Miami Heat for three years and has played in 40 games this season.
