The courtrooms are heating up for Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith as a 21-year-old man, who faced an above-the-knee amputation after a car accident involving the NBA player, has slapped him with a lawsuit. Alekxei Pino, still recuperating in the hospital, is demanding unspecified damages north of $50,000 for the grievous injuries sustained during the February 6 incident, as Local 10 News reported.
Caught helping a woman with her car disabled on the side of the road, Pino was struck when Highsmith, who had bagged a victory with the Heat earlier that night, apparently lost control of his 2021 Audi A5. Miami-Dade Police cited the forward for careless and negligent driving, as per a police report that also clocked him at 45 mph in a 40 mph zone, NY Breaking News noted.
While Pino faces "a very long road of rehabilitation ahead," according to his attorney, Manuel Dobrinsky, his family is rallying support through a GoFundMe page with sights set on a $100,000 goal to bolster his recovery. "This was an unfortunate accident," Jerry Dianis, Highsmith’s agent, lamented in a statement released last Thursday night, emphasizing his client and family's prayers for Pino and adding, "Haywood is of course shaken by this and appreciates the support and prayers he has received from the Miami Heat and fans," as reported by Local 10 News.
Focusing on his on-court performance, Highsmith sat out the game immediately following the accident but returned to play against the Boston Celtics on February 11. This season, the third-year Heat player is averaging 21 minutes, with 5.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists over 40 games, according to NY Breaking News. He has been a reliable presence on the court, asserting his role before the All-Star break.
