THIBODAUX, La. -- Detroit Lions offensive lineman Eric Andolsek was killed Tuesday after an 18-wheel truck veered off the road and hit him as he was trimming his lawn, police said.
Louisiana state police Sgt. Hamilton Mixon said the driver of the truck, James Bennett, fell asleep at the wheel on Louisiana Highway 1 and his 18-wheeler veered off the road.
Andolsek, 25, was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead almost immediately upon arrival.
Mixon said Bennett, 34, was charged with negligent homicide and failure to maintain control of his vehicle. He was booked into a local jail, with bond unspecified.
'We're obviously in a total state of shock and sadness,' Lions' General Manager Chuck Schmidt said. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cheryl and all of Eric's family.'
Andolsek started in all 16 regular-season games and two playoff contests last season for the Lions. He finished his career starting 50 consecutive games.
The former Louisiana State guard was a three-year starter at college and earned All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior in 1987.
Tuesday's incident is the third tragedy to hit the Lions in the last eight months. Offensive lineman Mike Utley was paralyzed from the chest down during a game against the Los Angeles Rams last November and assistant coach Len Fontes, brother of Coach Wayne Fontes, suffered a fatal heart attack during the offseason.
