Miami linebacker Adarius Hayes was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving in connection with a two-car crash on May 10 that killed three people.
Hayes was arrested after he turned himself into authorities on Friday, Aug. 29, the Largo Police Department in Florida announced, two days before Miami begins its 2025 season against Notre Dame.
The crash happened in the city of Largo, Hayes’ hometown about 20 miles west of Tampa. Police said initial reports showed Hayes ‘was traveling at a high rate of speed and maneuvering aggressively through traffic’ before his Dodge Durango collided with a Kia Soul at an intersection.
The 78-year-old driver of the Kia and two children, ages 10 and 4, were killed, and a 58-year-old man in the passeger of the Kia was hospitalized with serious injuries. Hayes was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and eventually released.
Police said an investigation into the crash discovered Hayes ‘made a rapid and dangerous maneuver’ of crossing three lanes of traffic five seconds before the crash before he quickly crossed lanes again without signaling. He reached a maximum speed of 78 miles per hour in 40 mph zone when he crashed into the Kia, which police added was lawfully executign a left-hand turn.
‘The investigation concluded that Adarius Hayes’ egregious speed, aggressive and reckless lane changes, and complete disregard for surrounding traffic conditions demonstrated a willful and deliberate disregard for the safety of others, constituting reckless driving. These actions directly led to the tragic deaths of the three victims,’ officials said.
Hayes was booked Pinellas County Jail and was released on $350,000 bond four hours later, according to jail records.
Miami said Hayes is ‘indefinitely suspended from all athletic related activities per athletic department policy’ and declined further comment.
A four-star recruit in the 2024 class, Hayes played in 12 games for the Hurricanes last season, mostly on special teams. He made four tackles and recorded one interception.