Donte Stallworth, the wide receiver for the professional football team the Cleveland Browns, has surrendered to law enforcement officials. Stallworth has been charged with DUI Manslaughter as a result of an accident on March 14 that occurred on the causeway that connects Fort Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale Beach. Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer William Moore extends his condolences to the victim’s family and reminds tourists and other South Beach partygoers to drink responsibly.
According to law enforcement officials, Stallworth was driving his 2005 Bentley back to Fort Lauderdale at about 7:00 a.m. after a night of partying till dawn at the swanky Fontainebleau hotel. Mario Reyes, a local Fort Lauderdale resident, was getting off of work. He was a night-shift crane operator. Reyes was crossing the street on the causeway to get to the bus stop to go home when Stallworth was driving on the same road. Stallworth struck fatally struck Reyes. News media outlets have reported that Reyes was not in the crosswalk at the time of the accident. Stallworth stayed at the scene of the accident and was reportedly cooperative with police, telling them, “I’m the driver of that car…I hit the man lying in the road.” Police believe that Stallworth’s vehicle was traveling at about 50 miles per hour in an area with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour. Stallworth’s blood alcohol concentration was measured at 0.126 percent, above the 0.08 percent at which Florida state law presumes a driver’s faculties are impaired.
Stallworth was charged with DUI Manslaughter in the death earlier this week. Stallworth surrendered, appearing in court and posting bail of $200,000. He was accompanied to court by his mother, Donna, and made a statement to the press expressing his deep condolences to the Reyes family and that the has “full faith and confidence in the legal process.” His DUI defense attorney said that the crash was a “tragic accident” and that “there are no winners here,” with regard to his client’s defense.
While he is out on bail, Stallworth will not be permitted to consume alcohol or drive. He will be permitted to travel between Cleveland and Fort Lauderdale, but must seek approval for any other travel. According to Broward DUI Lawyer William Moore, such restrictions are common.
Stallworth rose to fame playing college football for Tennessee. Before signing a $35 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, he played for three other NFL teams. He has been plagued by injuries in recent months.
Fort Lauderdale DUI attorney William Moore provides outstanding DUI defense in Broward, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Lauderdale-Dade Counties. If you have been charged with a DUI, contact Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer William Moore, P.A.
This article should be used for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice nor as implied representation of any person.