Police: UA LB in fracas
Posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008
FAYETTEVILLE — A minor traffic accident Tuesday afternoon on the University of Arkansas campus escalated into something more serious and sent Razorbacks linebacker Wendel Davis to the hospital.
UAPD information officer Lt. Gary Crain said Davis, 20, was riding a motor scooter east on Maple Street when he was bumped from behind by a car while stopping at the traffic light on Garland Street around 12: 30 p.m.
Crain said Davis approached the car, a 2005 Nissan Altima driven by Onyebychi Chukwunonso Odunukwe, and began pounding the vehicle with his hand and fist.
“He did some damage to the car,” Crain said, including cracking the windshield and denting the door.
Davis, a junior who is recovering from winter knee surgery, injured his hand in the incident and was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center for treatment.
During the incident, Crain said, Odunukwe backed his car into a Ford Explorer stopped behind him.
Crain said a report had not been filed because officers responding on the scene had not yet interviewed Davis before going off their shift Tuesday afternoon.
“The report will probably be completed some time [Wednesday ],” Crain said.
Crain added that charges are being contemplated against Davis and Odunukwe; Davis for criminal mischief and Odunukwe for following too closely.
A statement issued by Arkansas football Coach Bobby Petrino, who is on vacation, said he was aware of the situation.
“I’m aware of matters involving Wendel Davis and the other individual involved in the incident,” Petrino said. “At this point, I am attempting to gather all the facts regarding the situation. Once those facts have been gathered, we will move forward in an appropriate way.” Davis accounted for 39 tackles, sixth among returning UA players, last season. He accounted for one tackle for loss and broke up one pass.
This is the latest in a series of mishaps involving Arkansas linebackers that began with a ligament tear in Davis’ knee in January.
Junior linebacker Freddie Fairchild was arrested in March and charged with two misdemeanors relating to a domestic incident, and was dismissed from the team by Petrino on June 11. Sophomore linebacker Freddy Burton was charged with driving while intoxicated early
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
