Lutzenkirchen And Driver Intoxicated In Deadly Crash

The crash took place on a quiet Georgia road about one month ago. 

 

The driver was twice the legal limit when the car hit a ditch and flipped, ejecting two of passengers. 

 

Philip Lutzenkirchen had also been drinking and was almost five times the legal limit, with a blood alcohol level of .377.

 

“A blood alcohol of 0.4 is essentially a level that’s associated with death. So if you’re at .377, you’ve got an extraordinarily high blood alcohol level,” said State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson.

 

He says that it would take a 200 pound man about 15 drinks in one hour to reach that level. 

Philip Lutzenkirchen was probably about 50 pounds heavier than that. 

 

The fact that alcohol was a factor in the crash is not a surprise for sports analyst John Longshore.

 

“No I’m not, I’m not surprised. But the amount of alcohol I am. But, when young adults are out at three in the morning, not much good is going on,” said Longshore.

 

It’s a sad end for a football star that showed a lot of promise and character. Lutzenkirchen was on track for the NFL when his career was cut short by a hip injury after he signed with the St. Louis Rams. He holds the record for most touchdowns by a tight end at Auburn. 

 

“I think he could have been an outstanding NFL tight end. His play at Auburn not only as a great blocker but also as a pass catcher is certainly something the NFL really needs and wants,” said Longshore. 

 

There were two other passengers in the car when it flipped who survived. 

 

Authorities say Lutzenkirchen was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.