FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee man is suing Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, saying the All Pro was driving his black Ferrari like a maniac when the player sent the man's car crashing into the concrete median of an interstate highway and leaving him disabled.
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Corey Edmonson needed hip replacement surgery after the Dec. 13 accident, and attorney Jon Perry filed the lawsuit for Edmonson on Friday in Williamson County Circuit Court seeking $7.5 million in compensatory damages.
"In short, Haynesworth was intentionally and selfishly driving like a maniac and has wreaked havoc on the life of a 25 year old man and his family," according to the lawsuit.
Haynesworth's agent did not immediately return an e-mail message Monday. A Nashville attorney who represented Haynesworth on a previous traffic case did not return a message left with his office.
The lawsuit also asks for punitive damages amounting to no less than 25 percent of Haynesworth's guaranteed money from Washington. He set an NFL record when guaranteed $41 million in the seven-year, $100 million contract with the Redskins that he signed Feb. 27.
Haynesworth was indicted in March by a grand jury on charges of reckless driving and having an expired registration for the incident. Haynesworth was driving a black Ferrari when he tried to pass Edmonson's car, which crashed into the concrete median on Interstate 65.
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The lawsuit alleges Haynesworth was speeding in his Ferrari when he tried to pass Edmonson's Mercury Marquis, first moving to the inside lane and then hitting Edmonson's car. The lawsuit includes photos of black paint on Edmonson's car and points out Haynesworth told a police officer at the scene he caused the accident.
A previous speeding ticket Haynesworth received on the same stretch of highway is listed in the lawsuit as proof the defensive tackle knew speeding was dangerous.
Haynesworth was playing for the Tennessee Titans at the time of the accident. The Titans flew from Nashville later that day to play a game Dec. 14 in Houston.
Perry said Edmonson had just left his job at an area mall when the crash occurred. Now Edmonson's medical bills already have reached $230,000 and are expected to reach $1 million. The attorney said his client cannot work, needs a walker or cane to move around and leaves his house for physical therapy. Edmonson's parents have been helping as much as possible.
But Edmonson has not heard one word from Haynesworth since the accident.
"I'm not sure if it's a level of apathy or if he's focused on other things or if he doesn't care or if he thinks maybe it'll just go away," Perry said.
