Cowboys’ cornerback Dwayne Goodrich was charged with two counts of manslaughter for a hit-and-run accident that killed two men late Tuesday night.
The men – Demont Matthews, 23, and Joseph Wood, 21 – had stopped to aid another motorist trapped in a burning car.
According to the Dallas Police Department, a Mitsubishi sedan rear-ended a disabled 18-wheeler on the northbound lane of Interstate 35 in North Dallas on Tuesday morning at approximately 2:15 a.m.
Matthews and Wood came to the aid of the passenger of the sedan in trying to free the driver from the car.
According to witnesses, Goodrich’s BMW was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour. The car attempted to swerve between the disabled vehicles and struck the three men.
Matthews was dragged over 150 feet by the BMW and was pronounced dead at the scene. Wood died later in the morning from his injuries.
The third man suffered a broken leg but it is not reported to be serious. The driver suffered minor burns and will also survive.
Eyewitnesses told police that the BMW did not slow down after the collision. Police reports indicate that no skid marks were found at the scene.
Goodrich turned himself in after contacting his agent, Stephen W. Zucker, to inform him of the accident and that the police would be looking for him.
He was charged with two counts of manslaughter and released on $50,000 bail.
Manslaughter is a second-degree felony, carrying a penalty of two to 20 years in jail and fines up to $200,000 for each count.
Police are also contemplating other charges, including failure to stop and render aid.
"He's just devastated by all of this, absolutely devastated," Zucker told the Dallas Morning News.
“We were informed on Tuesday of this tragic situation,” said Calvin Hill, who is coordinator of the Cowboys’ player assistance department. “It is a police matter, and we will continue to monitor the developments. We are deeply saddened for the families who have experienced the loss of life.”
Goodrich was the Cowboys’ second-round draft pick in 2000 from the University of Tennessee. He was unable to take a starting position his rookie season.
During training camp in this second season, Goodrich suffered a torn Achilles tendon that landed him on injured reserve. He played in 11 games this past season, starting once.
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