An auto engine, a wheel and an overturned SUV litter the northbound lane of State Road A1A in Gulf Stream after a June 29 crash involving Ocean Ridge resident and former Miami Dolphin Rob Konrad. Photo provided by Gulf Stream Police Department
By Larry Barszewski
The driver in a late-night June 29 single-car crash on State Road A1A in Gulf Stream has been identified as Ocean Ridge resident and former Miami Dolphin fullback Rob Konrad. Police say he lost control of his speeding Land Rover SUV — they estimated it to be traveling at 80 mph — which then crashed into several trees and a water valve before flipping over.
Konrad was airlifted via Trauma Hawk helicopter for medical attention following the crash, which took place between the 4000 to 4300 blocks of A1A. He has been charged with reckless driving involving property damage and three civil violations. His medical condition was not available.
He entered not guilty pleas to all counts on July 13 in Palm Beach County Court and a case disposition is scheduled for July 27.
The crash is not the first time Konrad, 49, has survived a perilous situation.
In 2015, he fell off his 31-foot boat 9 miles from shore in the Atlantic Ocean. He spent 16 hours swimming what was later determined to be 27 miles — given ocean drift — before reaching shore in Palm Beach. He spent several days recovering in the hospital and later admitted “I shouldn’t be alive.”
A closer look at Konrad's car, where the front appears to be torn off. Photo provided by Gulf Stream Police Department
The A1A crash took place as he was heading northbound on State Road A1A a mile away from his Ocean Ridge home at about 11:20 p.m. June 29.
Gulf Stream Police Chief Richard Jones said one of his officers was stationed in a cruiser along northbound A1A when the officer’s car shook from the silver, 2024 Land Rover speeding past at what the officer estimated to be 80 mph.
“As he looked up, the car was about beginning to lose control,” Jones said the day following the crash. The car struck a large water valve and crashed into multiple trees before flipping over, he said. The car’s engine could be seen along the roadway, having been knocked out of the car.
After being shut down for several hours following the crash, A1A traffic was also detoured for about 4 ½ hours the following morning as crews for Boynton Beach worked to repair the damaged water pipe that had caused some road flooding.
A portion of a water pipe and street light damaged in the crash. Staff photo by Jerry Lower
Besides the reckless driving count, a first-degree misdemeanor, Konrad was also cited for careless driving, failure to drive in a single lane, and traveling too fast for conditions.
If convicted of reckless driving, Konrad could face punishment of up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. The three civil citations carry penalties of $166 each.
Konrad’s attorney, Michael Gottlieb, was traveling July 17 and unavailable for comment. Konrad could not be reached for comment.
The crash occurred near the Ballantrae condominiums. Debris was scattered for several hundred feet, Jones said.
Konrad played fullback for the Miami Dolphins from 1999 to 2004, serving primarily as a blocking back for Lamar Smith (2001-02) and Ricky Williams (2003-04). Konrad now works as a financial advisor.
Drafted in the second round out of Syracuse University, he compiled only modest career statistics, rushing 38 times for 114 yards and one touchdown and catching 111 passes for 854 yards and six touchdowns.
Brian Biggane contributed to this report.
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