The girlfriend of Browns defensive end Chris Smith was struck and killed on Interstate 90 in Cleveland after their car became disabled.
Smith and Petara Cordero, who had their first child together just four weeks ago, went out on Tuesday night, and a tire on Smith’s 2019 Lamborghini blew out. As a result, the sports car veered to the left and struck a center median. Smith and Cordero got out of the car.
A 47-year-old woman driving a 2017 Mazda 3 then hit the open passenger door of the Lamborghini, striking Cordero. The woman admitted to police she had been drinking, and toxicology results are pending.
Cordero was taken to Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, where she was pronounced dead. She and their daughter, Haven, had flown from Charlotte, N.C., to visit Smith, according to Cleveland.com.
“Words cannot describe the sorrow we feel for Chris following the loss of his girlfriend, Petara,” Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “Our entire organization mourns with Chris, his family and the Cordero family. We will do everything possible to offer them our support, comfort and any resources in this most difficult time.”
Smith, 27, is in his second season with the Browns after spending three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-16) and one with the Cincinnati Bengals (2017).
The Browns (0-1) face the New York Jets (0-1) on Monday night.