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Then-Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Thomas Howard (53) and cornerback Nate Clements (22) celebrate recovering a fumble against the Indianapolis Colts in a 2011 game at Cincinnati.(Photo: Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports)

Story HighlightsHoward, drafted by the Oakland Raiders, played in the NFL since 2006.His BMW was traveling at speeds of between 100 and 110 mph when it crashed early Monday in OaklandBoth Howard and the driver of another vehicle killed were dead on the scene.CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINEMAILMORE

Former NFL linebacker Thomas Howard, cut last week by the Atlanta Falcons, was killed early Monday in a high-speed traffic collision near his home in Alameda, Calif.

The Alameda County Coroner's Bureau and spokesperson Dan Hill of the California Highway Patrol, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that Howard was one of the victims after notification was made to the family.

Howard, 30, who was drafted out of Texas-El Paso by the Oakland Raiders in 2006, played five years for the Raiders.

Hill said the incident began with a BMW traveling 100-110 miles per hour, according to witnesses.

The witnesses said the driver of the BMW lost control and collided with the rear of a semi-truck, Hill said. The force of the impact caused the BMW to catapult into the opposing lanes, where it struck a Chevrolet Monte Carlo and then crashed onto a Honda CRV, Hill said.

Both Howard and the driver of the Honda, Zeng Long Liu, 64, of Hayward, Calif., were killed at the scene, Hill said.

Howard, a 6-3, 230-pound linebacker from Lubbock, Texas, was taken in the second round of the 2006 draft by the Raiders. He played with them through 2010, then was with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011 and 2012.

He signed last month with the Atlanta Falcons and was active for two games, but was released last Tuesday.

"It is shocking and very sad," Texas-El Paso athletics director Bob Stull said about Howard on the school's sports department web site.

"His story was inspiring. He came here as a walk-on defensive back and through hard work and dedication developed into one of the greatest linebackers in school history. He was enjoying a tremendous NFL career.

"More than anything, though, Thomas was a fine young man, personable and engaging. He always had a smile on his face. He returned to El Paso frequently and was always eager to give back to UTEP. He was a superb alum and friend of the university. It's just hard to believe that he's gone. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Friends were remembering Howard on Twitter:

Retired NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman @shawnemerriman38m -- "RIP Thomas Howard and those involved in the tragedy #NFL #GodBless"

Former NFL defensive back Stanford Routt @SRoutt2620m -- "@ThomasHoward Was a pleasure playing with you. You were a great teammate,even better person and father! U will be missed, much love bro #RIP"

Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski @bgradkowski5 "very sad day a good buddy&teammate thomas howard passed away today! Please keep his family in ur prayers what a great guy words can explain!"

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Former NFL linebacker Thomas Howard was one of two people killed in a high-speed car accident in the early morning hours of Nov. 18. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenHoward was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round (38th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenAs a rookie, Howard appeared in all 16 games, starting 15. He was second on the team with 110 tackles (88 solo). Phil Carter, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenIn his second year with the Raiders, Howard finished with 95 tackles (77 solo) and led the team with six interceptions, returning for touchdowns. Phil Carter, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenHoward continued to be a mainstay on the Raiders defense in his third season, finishing with 97 tackles (80 solo). Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenAs a fourth-year pro in 2009, Howard recorded 79 tackles (72 solo) for Oakland. Julie Scheidegger, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenHoward appeared in just 12 games in 2010 before the Raiders released him. Julie Scheidegger, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenA native of Lubbock, Texas, Howard followed in the footsteps of his father, Thomas Sr., who played linebacker for the Chiefs and Cardinals from 1977-85. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenHoward participated in the Taste of the NFL charity event at the Super Bowl in New Orleans this past February. J.D. Mercer, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenAfter five seasons with the Raiders, Howard moved on to the Cincinnati Bengals. In his first year with Cincinnati in 2011, Howard led the team with 105 tackles (70 solo). Mark Zerof, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenHoward played just one game for the Bengals in 2012 before tearing his ACL in practice and missing the rest of the season. Fernando Medina, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenHoward appeared in two games for the Atlanta Falcons this season before he was released on Nov. 12. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenHoward began his college career at the University of Texas-El Paso as a walk-on. After a redshirt year, he was named to the All-WAC freshman team. Howard was named second-team All-WAC as a junior. Victor Calzada, El Paso Times via APFullscreenInterested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:Replay1 of 132 of 133 of 134 of 135 of 136 of 137 of 138 of 139 of 1310 of 1311 of 1312 of 1313 of 13AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext SlideCONNECTTWEETLINKEDINEMAILMORE