Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth says he is grief stricken over his car accident that killed a pedestrian on a busy causeway linking Miami and Miami Beach. (March 18, 2009) |
Fox 8's sports anchor Tony Rizzo confirms that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth has been charged with DUI manslaughter for the crash that
killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes.
The crash occurred on March 14 in Miami.
Rizzo spoke with Stallworth's attorney, Chris Lyons, who says a blood test shows Stallworth blood-alcohol level was .126 at the time of the fatal crash, well above Florida's legal limit.
An arrest warrant charging the 28-year-old with DUI manslaughter has been filed.
Stallworth is expected to surrender in court Thursday. He faces a maximum 15-year prison sentence if convicted. Stallworth attorney says the minimum sentence is 6 months in prison, a fine and community service.
Lyons say they will ask that Stallworth be released on $200,000 bail.
The victim's family released the following statement Wednesday regarding the charges:
"The family is encouraged by the fact that the criminal investigation surrounding Mr. Reyes' tragic death is proceeding. The family will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement and the authorities to bring this case to an appropriate resolution. The family is still in a state of shock and continue to grieve the loss of Mr. Reyes. Therefore, the family reiterates their request that the media and others respect their privacy during this very difficult time."
Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Cleveland Browns before last season, but was injured most of the year. The Browns released the following statement Wednesday:
"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."
Stallworth released a statement last month saying he was "grief-stricken" over the accident.
A Miami Beach police report said that Reyes was not in a crosswalk on busy MacArthur Causeway when he was struck by the Bentley luxury car driven by Stallworth. The construction crane operator was trying to catch a bus home after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m.
The report also quoted Stallworth as saying he flashed his lights at Reyes in an attempted warning and that Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.
An additional police affidavit filed Wednesday said that on the morning of the crash, Stallworth was drinking at a club in the posh Fountainebleau hotel on South Beach. He left to go to a nearby home -- it's not clear if the home was one of Stallworth's three Miami-area properties -- and then headed out to the causeway where Reyes was struck.
"I hit a man lying in the road," Stallworth told officers arriving to investigate the crash, according to the affidavit. One officer smelled alcohol on Stallworth's breath and said that his eyes appear "bloodshot and watery."
Before playing for the Cleveland Browns, Stallworth played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.
(The Associated Press and Fox 8 News contributed to this report)
The crash occurred on March 14 in Miami.
Rizzo spoke with Stallworth's attorney, Chris Lyons, who says a blood test shows Stallworth blood-alcohol level was .126 at the time of the fatal crash, well above Florida's legal limit.
An arrest warrant charging the 28-year-old with DUI manslaughter has been filed.
Stallworth is expected to surrender in court Thursday. He faces a maximum 15-year prison sentence if convicted. Stallworth attorney says the minimum sentence is 6 months in prison, a fine and community service.
Lyons say they will ask that Stallworth be released on $200,000 bail.
The victim's family released the following statement Wednesday regarding the charges:
"The family is encouraged by the fact that the criminal investigation surrounding Mr. Reyes' tragic death is proceeding. The family will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement and the authorities to bring this case to an appropriate resolution. The family is still in a state of shock and continue to grieve the loss of Mr. Reyes. Therefore, the family reiterates their request that the media and others respect their privacy during this very difficult time."
Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Cleveland Browns before last season, but was injured most of the year. The Browns released the following statement Wednesday:
"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."
Stallworth released a statement last month saying he was "grief-stricken" over the accident.
A Miami Beach police report said that Reyes was not in a crosswalk on busy MacArthur Causeway when he was struck by the Bentley luxury car driven by Stallworth. The construction crane operator was trying to catch a bus home after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m.
The report also quoted Stallworth as saying he flashed his lights at Reyes in an attempted warning and that Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.
An additional police affidavit filed Wednesday said that on the morning of the crash, Stallworth was drinking at a club in the posh Fountainebleau hotel on South Beach. He left to go to a nearby home -- it's not clear if the home was one of Stallworth's three Miami-area properties -- and then headed out to the causeway where Reyes was struck.
"I hit a man lying in the road," Stallworth told officers arriving to investigate the crash, according to the affidavit. One officer smelled alcohol on Stallworth's breath and said that his eyes appear "bloodshot and watery."
Before playing for the Cleveland Browns, Stallworth played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.
(The Associated Press and Fox 8 News contributed to this report)
