NBA News and Rumors: Former All-Star Jayson Williams Arrested for Drunk Driving
Jayson Williams had a decent career in the NBA, where he played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets, and even became an All-Star during the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. But after a major collision with then teammate Stephon Marbury in a 1999 regular season game against the Atlanta Hawks, he broke his right leg that needed surgery, prompting the end of his professional basketball career.
As a player, he never had major incidents that prompted suspensions, sanctions, or disciplinary actions. His life after basketball though was different.
Three years after his abrupt retirement, the former All-Star accidentally shot to death a limo driver during a tour of his mansion with several NBA players playing for his charity game. Investigators ruled it as accidental and he was charged with manslaughter, and later aggravated assault. He served more than a year in prison, but got out in 2012.
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After a series of encounters with the police beginning in 2009 and up to this point, it looks like Williams has not learned his lesson. The most recent incident happened on the night of Jan. 26 when police said that while driving home, the 47-year-old retired basketball player hit a pole along the road in a town northwest of New York City. He later was charged with driving while intoxicated.
When interviewed by the authorities, he attested that he was just trying to avoid a deer that suddenly crossed the road. However, the police officers who questioned him said that he visibly was struggling to stand while his speech was slurred. He also subsequently failed a field sobriety test.
After the accident, he was taken to the Catskill Regional Medical Center for the treatment of minor injuries resulting from the crash. While waiting for the blood test results, the police already charged him with misdemeanor DWI and was given an appearance ticket.
