Washington Commanders safety Deshazor Everett has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a car crash that killed his passenger.
Everett, 29, was driving twice the 45-mph speed limit before the crash last month near Aldie, Virginia, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday. Olivia S. Peters died at a nearby hospital.
They were in a 2010 Nissan GT-R on the evening of Dec. 23 when the car veered off the roadway, struck several trees and rolled.
An attorney for Everett told NBC Sports in a statement that Everett "voluntarily appeared" in court for the charge and was released shortly afterward on bond.
"Our team continues to investigate this matter as we intend on vigorously defending Mr. Everett against these allegations," the statement said. "We continue to ask that judgment be reserved until all facts are fully investigated and litigated in the proper forum. At this time we cannot comment any further due to the pending litigation.”
The team said Tuesday that it was aware of the charge and was monitoring the situation. It declined to comment further.
Peters' family described her as "brilliant and beautiful" in a statement to WTTG-TV of Washington. Peters had a master's degree in occupational therapy and practiced in Las Vegas and New York City.
"Her passion and sole focus in life was treating special needs and underprivileged children," the statement said.
Her family asked for donations to create the Olivia S. Peters Pediatric Therapy Foundation in lieu of flowers, according to her obituary.
