Wife’s Death Unrelated to Alleged Beating

The death of Steve Muhammad’s wife after childbirth was caused by injuries from an auto accident and had nothing to do with an alleged beating by the Colts’ player, a coroner ruled Monday.

Nichole Muhammad went into premature labor and died from excessive bleeding Sunday, 10 days after her husband was arrested and charged with three counts of battery against her and their 6-year-old son.

The premature infant was stillborn early Sunday, about 7 1/2 hours before the death of Nichole Muhammad, who was five months pregnant.

Dr. John Pless said the injuries Nichole Muhammad suffered in the alleged beating were to her back and her arm and were “no bigger than a dime and not significant.”

However, injuries on her chest and lower abdomen appeared “consistent with a steering wheel she hit in an accident last Thursday,” Marion County Deputy Coroner Frances Kelly said.

“At this time, we can say the accident that she had can produce premature pressure and labor,” Pless said.

Nichole Muhammad, 30, was not wearing her seat belt and an airbag in the vehicle did not deploy. She did not report the accident when it happened.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the accident. Officials found the vehicle and said it had been repaired.

The Colts refused to comment about Muhammad’s legal situation.

“I’m sure all of them are still saddened by what happened, obviously being a team member and a teammate, and a popular one,” Coach Jim Mora said. “I went by the hospital and he already left, and I talked to him on the phone last night. He’s struggling.”

Mora announced Nichole Muhammad’s death following the Colts’ 25-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Mora said Muhammad, a cornerback listed as inactive for the game, spent Saturday night at the hospital.