Stallworth May Have Been High and Drunk: Sources
NFL star pleads for ambulance for man he hit in fatal March accident
By BRIAN HAMACHER and TODD WRIGHT
Updated 2:24 PM PST, Mon, Jul 6, 2009
It's been well-publicized that Donte Stallworth was well over the legal limit for drinking and driving when he hit and killed a man, but he may have been feeling the effects of a smoking marijuana, too.
Justnews.com is reporting a source close to the case said traces of weed were found in Stallworth's system after the March 14 accident. Mario Reyes was attempting to cross the MacArthur Causeway when he was hit by Stallworth's Bentley. He died from his injuries.
The Reyes family knew about the toxicology results, which revealed the traces of marijuana and still agreed not to prosecute Stallworth, the source said.
Stallworth is currently in a Miami-Dade jail serving a lenient 30-day sentence for pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter. Justnews.com also reported that a video tape of the incident does exist, which shows Reyes being hit by Stallworth. This comes on the heels of police releasing Stallworth's emergency call just after the accident on Tuesday.
Sounding distressed and concerned, Stallworth's pleas for an ambulance can be heard in the 911 call he placed just minutes after he struck and killed a man on the MacArthur Causeway.
"Ok, listen, listen...This guy just ran in front of my car and he's (expletive) laying in the street dude...I, I…," Stallworth says in the call, released yesterday for the first time.
"So you hit somebody in the street?" the dispatcher asks.
"Yeah, you gotta send an ambulance right now man," Stallworth responds.
Stallworth is serving a month in jail after reaching a deal with Miami prosecutors earlier this month after the Cleveland Browns wide receiver was charged with DUI manslaughter.
Stallworth struck and killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes with his Bentley after a night of clubbing in Miami Beach in the early hours of March 14. The 28-year-old had a blood alcohol level of .126 when the accident occurred, well over the legal limit of .08. Reyes, a construction worker, was on his way home after working overnight.
In addition to the 30 days in jail, Stallworth will have to perform 1,000 hours of community service, will be on probation for 10 years, and will never be able to drive again.
The call, as well as police evidence photos, were released yesterday. The photos show a gruesome crime scene, with Reyes' belongings strewn about and Stallworth's smashed Bentley nearby.
"He ran in front of the car sir, he like jumped in front of the car," Stallworth tells the dispatcher. He then expresses the grim situation, saying "Oh no. [Expletive.] Oh my God, this guy is...oh..."
Police said Stallworth cooperated throughout the investigation and the football star has continued to offer his condolences to the Reyes family, who he reached a confidential settlement with to avoid a civil trial.
Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL, and his future with the league is uncertain.
First Published: Jun 30, 2009 6:09 AM PST
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