Benjamin St-Juste one of three former teammates named in wrongful death lawsuit

According to the Washington Post, a lawsuit has been filed by Peters’ mother that accuses Everett, along with two other Commanders teammates at the time — linebacker Jamin Davis and former Minnesota Gophers cornerback Benjamin St-Juste — and the owner of a local auto shop, of conspiring and participating in illegal street racing the night of December 23, 2021, which led to the crash that killed her daughter.

The suit alleges the defendants “came together and conspired and planned to engage in unlawful and criminal behavior” and that “Everett’s actions in speeding and driving recklessly in furtherance of the conspiracy were a direct and proximate cause” of Peters’s injuries and death.

Nicki Jhabvala – Washington Post

In the crash, Deshazor Everett was thrown from the car, suffering ‘serious injuries’, none that were life-threatening. Peters was trapped in the crashed car. By the time she was removed and brought to the hospital, there was no saving her.

Everett swerved, hit multiple trees and rolled. He was ejected from the car, and Peters was trapped inside. She was removed from the vehicle and transported to StoneSprings Hospital Center, where she was pronounced dead from internal bleeding. Everett suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Nicki Jhabvala – Washington Post

Related: 4 Minnesota Gophers Defensive Coordinator Candidates to Replace Joe Rossi

It seems the lawsuit filed by Peters’ mom brings into question the entire process that followed her daughter’s death. Remember, this was back in 2021. At first, Everett was charged with involuntary manslaughter, which was reduced to reckless driving after he pled guilty.

Lawsuit calls original case into question

The plea agreement was reached after the Loudon County Sheriff’s initial findings, which found that Everett had been driving over 90 MPH at the time of the crash, were called into question. St-Juste told police that Everett was driving closer to 50 MPH, which seemed to be corroborated by eye witness accounts, the car’s black box and the county’s crash reconstruction team.

But this newly filed lawsuit claims to have evidence, including text messages and GoPro video from the night of the crash, that proves the Commanders threesome was indeed racing, which lead to Olivia Peters death.

The suit claims the three met at an auto shop in Loudoun County owned by fellow defendant Shahidul Islam, then went driving. Everett had a GoPro Camera attached to his car, recording the events. According to the suit, the defendants “drove at high rates of speed well in excess of the posted speed limits,” “changed lanes erratically and without signaling,” “crossed over double yellow lines and drove in the opposite lane of traffic” and “raced each other on multiple occasions.”

Nicki Jhabvala – Washington Post

Benjamin St-Juste, Deshazor Everett, the other two listed in the suit, and the Washington Commanders all declined comment when the Washington Post reached out.

Former Minnesota Gophers cornerback, Benjamin St-Juste, has all of the measurables and immeasurables to be a good cornerback in the NFL. He’s one of the tallest CB’s in the draft, listed at 6’3″ and 200+ pounds on the Gopher Sports website.

In the classroom, St-Juste graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in just two years, allowing him to grad-transfer to Minnesota, where he earned his Master’s in two more seasons. On paper, he’s everything NFL teams will want, come April.

St-Juste entered the Senior Bowl so he could showcase his skills for the NFL world to see, and his live performance may have been even better than what these scouts and coaches saw on the bio sheet, heading in.

It started during the week and culminated in a great performance on Saturday afternoon.

Checking in on @Benj_Juice at the @seniorbowl #TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/FMXw3Ll7uN

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) January 30, 2021

Minnesota CB Ben St. Juste with the PD. Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/qergRcCJ89

— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) January 30, 2021

@GopherFootball's Benjamin St-Juste is a baller! #GoGophers #TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/f0PauhgMpH

— Black and Gold Nation – Steelers Draft Season (@B_GNation1) January 30, 2021

Draft Stock

I’ll be very interested to see how far up boards Benjamin St-Juste climbs, after this performance. Pro Football Network just released an updated 7-round mock draft last night and St-Juste landed in the 5th round, which is the same spot he was drafted by the Chiefs in this mock draft by ArrowheadPride.com (SB Nation).

Yet, there are multiple articles you can find today that have St-Juste surging up draft boards. Fan Nation NFL Draft (SI) wrote last night that “the lengthy defender has gained a lot of traction within the scouting community and some feel that this could be a coming-out party of sorts, as he trends towards top 100 overall status.” Mile High Huddle (SI – Broncos) called St-Juste the “most complete DB at the Senior Bowl”.

So, St-Juste might have come into this process as a very late (possibly undrafted) prospect but I expect his Senior Bowl performance to rocket him into the middle rounds, where I’d love for Rick to take a long look, unlike what he’s done with Gophers in the past.

#Gophers cornerback Benjamin St-Juste is veryyy physical. His recovery speed and agility are two major strengths. He also has an 80-inch wingspan.

St-Juste stops on a dime, flips his hips and changes direction quickly. Then, he uses his length to create breakups. pic.twitter.com/3bXE25unPU

— Daniel House (@DanielHouseNFL) January 27, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Moments after the Minnesota Gophers football team announced they’d deny any bowl invitations for the 2020-21 season, junior cornerback Benjamin St-Juste declared for the NFL Draft.

#2021nfldraft pic.twitter.com/D8Io1TazdZ

— Benjamin St-Juste (@Benj_Juice) December 20, 2020

Thank you Minnesota! I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to represent The University of Minnesota. Thank you to Coach Fleck for giving me a chance to reach my dreams on and off the field.

Thank you to every single coach and staff member that pushed me to become a better player and man. Huge thank you to the state of Minnesota and the Gopher fans for the incredible memories.

Last but not least, thank you to my teammates that I now call brothers for life!

With that being said, I am officially declaring for the 2021 NFL draft

Row The Boat

Ski-U-Mah

Go Gophers!

Benjamin St. Juste via Twitter

St-Juste started his career in Michigan but after some injury issues, he fell out of favor with Jim Harbaugh, who tried to get him to medically retire. Instead, he finished his degree in two seasons and graduate transferred to Minnesota with three years of eligibility remaining.

After two ELITE seasons in maroon and gold, he is now going to the NFL.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan