Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 9, 1995 TAG: 9507110011
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: DAVIE, FLA. LENGTH: Short
Griggs, 28, a former Miami Dolphins linebacker, died June 20 when his speeding Lexus slid off an expressway ramp and slammed into a sign pole.
He had a blood-alcohol level of 0.16 percent, twice Florida's legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to the toxicology report from the Broward County Medical Examiner.
``He did not have any other drugs or mind-and body-altering substances in his body,'' said Dr. Eroston Price, the medical examiner. ``He was in excellent physical condition.''
Although Griggs was wearing his seat belt and the air bag inflated, the impact caused ``blunt cranial cerebral trauma,'' which was the cause of death, Price said.
Griggs, survived by his wife and 1-year-old daughter, had visited a Miami comedy club where alcohol is served prior to the accident.
The Florida Highway Patrol, which investigated the one-car crash, had already determined that Griggs was traveling substantially faster than the 30-mph speed limit.
``I liked David Griggs as well as anyone I've ever come across,'' Chargers linebacker coach Dale Lindsey said. ``He was one of those people that there's a shortage of on earth. And I don't care what the report says. My opinion of David Griggs will never change.''
Keywords:
FATALITY FOOTBALL
by CNB