Former UM Player Critically Injured In Causeway Accident

MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – Miami Beach Police have confirmed to CBS4 that former UM football player JoJo Nicolas was critically injured in a car accident Tuesday morning on the MacArthur Causeway.

Nicolas' car, a Lexus sedan, was driving westbound on the Causeway when he rear-ended a tractor trailer truck that appeared to be in front of him. The car went underneath the back left part of the trailer of the truck which tore into the passenger area of the car.

"We had to use the jaws of life to cut the roof off the vehicle and cut the seat back to extricate the person from the vehicle," said Jesus Sola of Miami Beach Fire Rescue.

Miami Beach Police said they're not sure exactly how the accident happened. The tractor trailer driver had just stopped for a red light and was starting to move again when he was rear-ended.

Around 2 a.m., Nicolas tweeted out that he was "kickin off the bday turn up week at mansion with my brotha @2Tuckz."

The accident tied up traffic on the Causeway for much of the morning rush hour from Miami Beach onto the mainland.

Nicolas was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital and is in critical condition.

His best game came against Georgia Tech University in 2011 when he recovered a fumble punt for a touchdown and intercepted a pass in Miami's 24-7 victory over the Yellow Jackets.

UM head coach Al Golden released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying, "During this extremely difficult time for JoJo and his family, our Miami family extends our prayers to them and our hope for his recovery. He is a big part of our U family and all of us are pulling for him."

Miami Beach Police said they are looking into whether speed and/or alcohol were factors in the accident.

Nicolas is a Mail Handler Assistant at the West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center.

In:
• Miami Beach Police
• MacArthur Causeway
• Lexus