Dwayne Haskins, who arrived in Washington three seasons ago as one of the NFL’s most promising newcomers, died Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale after being hit by a dump truck as he was attempting to cross Interstate 595 on foot.

The 24-year-old Mr. Haskins, who was known as “Simba,” was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital. The incident happened about 6:37 a.m.

Investigators are trying to determine why he was on the roadway.

Mr. Haskins had been in South Florida training with other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which had signed him in 2021 after he was let go by the Washington NFL team.

A native of New Jersey who moved with his family to Potomac, Md., when he was in high school, Mr. Haskins had a brilliant senior season at Ohio State University, where he set single-season passing and touchdown records both for Ohio State and in the Big Ten Conference. He also won the Sammy Baugh Trophy for being the nation’s top quarterback and was MVP of the Rose Bowl.

Mr. Haskins was drafted 15th overall by the Washington NFL franchise in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. He was viewed as the team’s answer to a long-term quality quarterback.

But it didn’t happen. In two seasons in Washington, he threw 12 touchdowns but suffered 14 interceptions and the coaching staff quickly soured on his potential.

After two turbulent seasons in D.C., he was released and signed in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mr. Haskins was the Steelers’ third-string quarterback this past season, behind Ben Roethlisberger, who is now retired, and Mason Rudolph. Earlier this year, the Steelers added Mitchell Trubisky from Buffalo.

On the night of his death, a moment of silence was observed prior to the Pittsburgh Penguins National Hockey League game with the Washington Capitals.