Former Chargers S Kiel dies in car crash

Jul 5, 2008 - 3:04 PM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Terrence Kiel was killed in a car crash, police said Saturday. He was 27.

According to a San Diego police spokesman, Kiel's body was ejected from his 2004 Chevrolet sedan, which crashed into a wall in the Scripps Ranch neighborhood.

Kiel, who was driving alone after leaving a party at approximately 10:15 p.m. local time, was barely breathing by the time emergency paramedics arrived at the crash scene. He was pronounced dead at 11:28 p.m.

According to police, a female witness saw Kiel driving in the wrong direction before he lost control of the car. Toxicology tests will be performed to determine whether Kiel, who had a history of legal trouble, had been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A 2003 second-round draft selection, Kiel appeared in 59 games over parts of four seasons with the Chargers.

Following a 2006 campaign in which he started 15 games, Kiel was released by the Chargers in February 2007, when he pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor drug charges.

Kiel also was cited for public urination outside a San Diego nightclub in January 2007, a charge which ultimately was dropped.