Donte’ Stallworth: DUI Manslaughter

Cleveland Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth was charged with DUI manslaughter today. An arrest warrant was filed in Miami for a March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes.

Donte’s blood-alcohol level after the crash was .126, well above Florida’s legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. If convicted, he would face a maximum 15-year prison sentence. The Browns released the following statement today:

“The charges levied against Donte’ Stallworth are very serious and we are disappointed he has put himself in this position. We are saddened by the circumstances that have taken place and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mario Reyes. We have been in communication with the Commissioner, who is reviewing the situation under league policies, and we will withhold further comment at this time.”

As I said before, there’s nothing good I can pull out of this and I hate writing about it. I don’t like looking at that headline. It’s a terrible tragedy for everyone involved and the whole thing makes me heartbroken for everyone involved. I guess the message continues to be that you simply cannot drive when you’ve been drinking. In Donte’s case, the ultimate cost was another man’s life. Plus it could destroy his very promising football career and cause him to lose his freedoms for the next 15 years of his own life.

Donte’ is expected to surrender in court tomorrow and then will be released on $200,000 bail. According to court documents, he will be prohibited from driving while on bail and he won’t be allowed to drink alcohol. He also must observe a 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and submit to random alcohol and drug testing through the NFL’s substance abuse program.

Source: ClevelandBrowns.com, Photo: Newscom