MESA

Ex-NFL star drove truck that hit, killed daughter in Mesa

Diego Mendoza-Moyers
The Republic | azcentral.com
Former NFL player Todd Heap poses for a photo on the red carpet during Celebrity Fight Night at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix on April 9, 2016.

Todd Heap, a former NFL football player who also starred at Arizona State University, was behind the wheel of a truck that struck and killed his 3-year-old daughter at their home in Mesa on Friday, police have confirmed.

The accident occurred about 3:45 p.m. in the 7600 block of East Summit Trail, which is in the Las Sendas area of northeast Mesa, police said.

The child was in the driveway of the home when Heap moved a truck forward, striking her, police said.

She was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Heap was born in Mesa and attended Mountain View High School, where he starred in football before attending Arizona State University, where he was a two-time All-Pac-10 selection. After being selected as a first round pick in 2001, he played professionally for the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals until announcing his retirement in 2012.

Heap was an All-Pro tight end selection in 2003, and was inducted into the Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor in 2014.

The Arizona Cardinals released this statement about the tragedy: "Our hearts go out to Todd, Ashley and the Heap family. It is a grief that is beyond words and one which no family should ever experience. Hopefully the prayers, love and support of their incredible group of friends and family provide them comfort that along with their strong faith will lead them through this unspeakably difficult time."

The Baltimore Ravens also released a statement: "We cannot imagine the heartbreak and sorrow Todd and Ashley's family feels right now. This is knee-buckling news and an overwhelmingly sad tragedy. Our prayers, our thoughts and our hearts are with the Heaps, who have contributed so much to the Ravens and Baltimore community. We believe their deep faith and tremendous support from friends and family will help them through this unimaginable time."

Mesa police said impairment was not a factor and the investigation is continuing.