A Wildcats football player, Ashely Lowery, was injured in a car accident last May and temporarily relegated to the bench. Although he is now well enough to work out with his fellow teammates, Georgia police where the accident occurred have recently charged the athlete with several traffic crimes, including DUI. It is not known whether or not this will be DUI first offense for the man or if he has prior DUIs on his record.
Fortunately, the accident was a single car incident that did not cause injury to anyone other than the football player. However, the player himself was thrown from his car. While he may have recovered from his injuries, the legal allegations that have been lodged against him still need to be dealt with.
In addition to DUI, police allege that the man failed to stay in his proper lane of traffic. They also allege he was not wearing a seatbelt. Finally, police have charged him with graduated license violation.
Any kind of legal allegation lodged against a college athlete can be detrimental to his or her career. Not only could they result in a suspended license and other legal punishments, but they could also result in suspensions from being able to play in college games if the university decides to create its own form of punishment. Georgia drivers accused of traffic crimes, whether it be a speeding ticket or DUI first offense, have many legal defense strategies at their disposal to try and get charges dropped. Those who have been accused have every right to the presumption of innocence until — and only if — proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: USA Today, “Kentucky’s Ashely Lowery cited for DUI after May car accident,” Jonathan Lintner, July 11, 2013