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NFL Player Hits, Kills Florida Man Crossing Street

By Eddie Farah

Mario Reyes, 59, of Miami was rushing to his work as a construction crane operator.

It was about 7:15 in the morning on March 14. Reyes crossed the six-lane MacArthur Causeway, near a crosswalk.

That's when he was hit by a Bentley being driven by Cleveland Browns wide received, Donte Stallworth. Witnesses called 9-1-1 to say a man was lying in the street. Reyes was killed.

According to Miami Beach police, Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone. Blood alcohol tests have yet to be concluded.

Unlike some states, such as California, where the pedestrian almost always has the right-of-way, in Florida pedestrians outside of crosswalks are supposed to yield the right-of-way to vehicles. But in this case Reyes was just outside of a crossing area.

What complicates this case is that Stallworth flashed his lights at the man before hitting him. If he had enough time to flash his lights, did he have enough time to stop?

We probably will find out. Stallworth signed a $35 million contract with the Browns last season, but was injured shortly after. He was scheduled to receive a $4.75 million bonus the day before the accident. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Eddie Farah

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on March 25, 2009 (boomark / email).