A video has surfaced showing New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols losing control of his Dodge Charger Hellcat, resulting in a high-speed crash that sent another motorist, Stephen Gilberg, off the road and into a field. As a result, Gilberg claims to have become partially paralyzed and has filed a lawsuit against Echols and the Jets. The crash occurred near the Jets’ practice facility in New Jersey, leading to Echols being suspended for one game in 2023.
In the video, Echols can be seen attempting to pass Gilberg’s BMW X5 on the left, but the collision caused the SUV to be propelled over a guardrail and into a marshy area. Emergency responders had to cut Gilberg out of the flipped BMW, and he was left with broken ribs and severe injuries that required spinal surgery. Police reports indicated that Echols was driving at 84 mph in a 50-mph zone, with data revealing he may have been going as fast as 111 mph.
Gilberg is still undergoing treatment for his injuries and has accumulated nearly $1 million in medical bills by March 2023. He has to pay Gilberg $1,200 per month in restitution until the victim’s out-of-pocket expenses are reached. Despite making some physical progress, Gilberg continues to suffer from nerve damage, ongoing pain, and psychological trauma. He has filed a lawsuit against Echols, the Jets, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and other entities for assault by auto and negligence.
Echols had a history of reckless driving, including prior speeding violations and using a license plate concealer. He was stopped by a police officer for speeding on the same turnpike before the crash. Despite being criminally charged with assault by auto, he entered a pretrial intervention program that could result in the charges being dismissed. Echols has not admitted any guilt and has been ordered to pay restitution to Gilberg for his medical expenses.
The lawsuit filed by Gilberg alleges that the Jets were negligent in hiring Echols without conducting proper background checks. Echols’ attorney expressed deep sorrow for Gilberg’s injuries and wished him a speedy recovery, emphasizing that there were no claims of Echols intending to harm anyone. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the physical and emotional harm caused by the crash. Echols, a rookie with a promising career, played in 14 games in 2023, had 18 tackles, and scored one interception for a touchdown.
Gilberg’s attorney emphasized the disregarded safety concerns on the road and the lack of remorse from Echols following the accident. Despite Echols not being under the influence of any substances during the crash, his reckless driving and history of violations have raised concerns about accountability. Gilberg’s claims of negligence extend to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the design and installation of curbs and guardrails. The case highlights the consequences of dangerous driving behavior and the legal actions resulting from such incidents.
