Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was killed after being struck by a dump truck while he was walking along a South Florida interstate highway Saturday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol said. He was 24.

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Haskins’ agent, Cedric Saunders, told ESPN that Haskins, who was in competition to replace the retired Ben Roethlisberger as the team’s starting quarterback, died in South Florida after being struck by a vehicle. Haskins, who was a standout at Ohio State University and led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl victory after the 2018 season, joined Pittsburgh after two seasons with the Washington Football Team.

Update 2:01 p.m. EDT April 9: The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that Haskins was killed when he was hit by a dump truck while he was walking on Interstate 595 west of Fort Lauderdale, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

“Mr. Haskins was walking on a limited access facility highway/expressway for unknown reasons,” FHP said in a statement. “He was attempting to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 when there was oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, he collided with an oncoming dump truck.”

Haskins was pronounced dead at the scene, FHP spokesperson Lt. Indiana Miranda confirmed to The Associated Press.

WPXI-TV, citing DK Pittsburgh Sports, said Haskins was driving to the airport to return to Pittsburgh and stopped his vehicle to get out when he was hit by the dump truck.

Original report: Haskins, who joined the Steelers during the 2021 season, was training in South Florida with other Steelers quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers, ESPN reported. No other details have been released.

According to the Miami Herald, the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating an accident that occurred at about 6:30 a.m. EDT Saturday on a westbound lane of Interstate 595. Troopers said a 24-year-old pedestrian was hit by a dump truck, the newspaper reported. The victim’s name was not released by the FHP.

The Steelers signed Haskins to a one-year restricted free agent contract in March, WPXI-TV reported.

“I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in the community.

“Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous young friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken.”

Haskins appeared to be working in Boca Raton with several teammates, including quarterback Mitch Trubisky and other skill position players, including running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth, The Associated Press reported. Haskins was expected to compete for the starting job with Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, the news organization reported.

Haskins was drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Ohio State by Washington as the 15th overall pick, according to Pro Football Reference. He played in 16 games for Washington, starting 13, in 2019 and 2020. He went 3-10 as a starter, passing for 2,804 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had 14 interceptions.

Haskins played at Ohio State as a freshman and sophomore in 2017 and 2018, throwing for 5,396 yards and 54 touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. As a sophomore Haskins threw for 50 touchdowns and 4,831 yards in leading the Buckeyes to a 13-1 record and a final No. 3 ranking.

Ohio State finished the season with a 28-23 victory in the Rose Bowl against the University of Washington.

Haskins finished third in balloting for the 2018 Heisman Trophy, finishing behind winner Kyler Murray and runner-up Tua Tagovailoa.

Dan Snyder and Tanya Snyder, the co-owners of the Wsashington Commanders, said in a statement Saturday that they were “devasted to learn of Haskins’ death.

“He was a young man with a tremendous amount of potential who had an infectious personality,” the Snyders said in their statement. “To say we are heartbroken is an understatement.”

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