Former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas passed away in a car crash on Saturday night less than a mile from his home in Nashville.
According to a statement released by the Metro Nashville Police department, Bironas was speeding when he lost control of his 2009 GMC Yukon Denali on a curve, going off the road and falling into a culvert. Bironas was rushed into the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but was declared dead on arrival.
"Bironas, 36, was traveling at a high rate of speed west on Battery Lane in his 2009 GMC Yukon Denali when he lost control in a curve shortly after 11 PM," the Metro Nashville Police department said in a statement. "The SUV traveled off the right side of the road and struck a line of trees before it came to rest upside down in a large culvert area. Bironas was transported by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead."
Sporting News also reported that a woman called them on Saturday night to report about a man who was driving erratically. The woman said that she and he husband were not aware that it was Bironas, but they said that the man driving the SUV needed police attention because he was dangerous, especially when the man tried to overtake them.
"We let him go on past us because he was trying to run me off the road and we don't know who he was," the woman reportedly told the 911 dispatcher.
Bironas spent nine seasons with the Titans where he completed 239 of his 279 kicks and also ended up as Tennessee's second All-time leading scorer with 1,032 points.
The Titans also issued a statement on Bironas' death, saying: "We are deeply saddened to hear the tragic news from last night about Rob Bironas. Rob made a significant impact as a player in his nine years with the team and more importantly touched many lives in the Nashville community off the field."
