College Football Coach Sues Estate of Suspected Drunk Driver After Sustaining 'Life-Changing' Injuries in Car Crash

NEED TO KNOW

• An ex-NFL player and college football coach is suing the estate of the suspected drunk driver after he was in a serious car accident last month
• Travian Robertson, 36, a former defensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons and current defensive line coach for the University of South Carolina, was injured in a head-on collision on Aug. 22
• Robertson underwent five surgeries for his "severe and life-changing injuries," his attorney said

An ex-NFL player and college football coach is recovering after he was in a serious car accident last month — and he's now suing the estate of the suspected drunk driver who was involved.

Travian Robertson, 36, a former defensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons and current defensive line coach for the University of South Carolina, was injured in a head-on collision on Aug. 22. The other driver, 35-year-old Kelly Johnson, was killed in the crash.

In a civil lawsuit — filed in Richland County, S.C., and obtained by PennLive, WIS-TV and The State — Robertson and his wife, Kettiany, argue that they are entitled to actual and punitive damages from Johnson's estate for "physical injury, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, loss of consortium, property damage and other matters."

The amount of financial damages will be determined by a jury.

The lawsuit alleges that Johnson's "reckless" action "caused injuries to Plaintiff Travian Robertson which resulted in the loss of services, company, society, cooperation, affection and companionship" for him and his wife.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) said at the time that the crash took place on Dutch Fork Road in Richland County, where Johnson's Nissan Pathfinder drifted over the center line and collided with Robertson's Chevrolet Tahoe, per WIS-TV. Johnson died at the scene.

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"We expect him [Robertson] to make a full recovery and be back out on the field soon," the University of South Carolina said in a statement at the time of the crash. "Please keep the families of those involved in the accident in your prayers and respect the Robertson family's privacy during this time."

A SCHP report obtained by WIS-TV after the incident stated that Johnson was believed to be under the influence at the time of the crash.

According to a statement from Robertson's attorney, the former Falcons player spent two weeks in the hospital, including 10 days in an intensive care unit.

Robertson underwent five surgeries for his "severe and life-changing injuries," the attorney added.

"Kettiany, our three boys, and I sincerely appreciate the outpouring of prayers and support we have received from the community in the weeks since my accident," the coach told the outlets in a statement. "It has been and will continue to be a journey, but I am grateful to God my life was spared."

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PennLive reported that Robertson has since been released from the hospital and has not yet returned to full-time work at South Carolina, but plans to as soon as he can.

"My current focus is on recovery and rehabilitation so I can get back to being the husband, father and coach I am called to be," Robertson said in his statement.

The university's head coach, Shane Beamer, told The State last week that Robertson has been working virtually to assist with game planning alongside the rest of the coaching staff.

"We're in communication with him and talking regularly," Beamer said. "He's getting better every day."

Read the original article on People