Just days after being waived by the Lions, Alex Brown is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on four charges after the cornerback caused a massive car accident that left his former teammate seriously injured.
Brown has been charged with two counts of operating while under the influence causing serious injury and two counts of reckless driving causing serious injury, according to Wayne County prosecutor Kim Worthy, as reported by USA Today.
At around 2:13 a.m. Sunday, Brown was arrested at the scene of a crash on southbound I-75 in Detroit after he allegedly struck a Detroit man’s car head-on. The man was later transported to a local hospital with injuries to his legs.
Brown allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .211, per Worthy’s office, and was so drunk that he was driving the wrong way.
“He thought he was in Atlanta, Georgia, [coming from] a strip club,” assistant Wayne County prosecutor Brian Johnson said in a Zoom hearing at 36th district court, the Detroit Free Pres reported.
Alex Brown (27) with the Lions during training camp. Getty ImagesBrown’s former Lions teammate, Charlie Taumoepeau, was in the passenger seat during the non-fatal crash. Prosecutors say Taumoepeau had to be removed with the Jaws of Life and was placed on a backboard and in a cervical collar for his transportation to a local hospital.
The Lions ultimately waived Taumoepeau with a non-football injury designation after practice Monday. He will revert to the reserve/non-football injury list once he clears waivers.
“We are aware of the situation from Sunday morning involving Alex Brown,” the Lions said in a statement. “Alex was waived from the team Sunday afternoon and Charlie Taumoepeau is receiving proper medical care following injuries sustained from the incident.
“Driving under the influence is a matter we take very seriously. We as an organization extend our thoughts and support to the victim and his family during his recovery.”
Charlie Taumoepeau at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Getty ImagesMagistrate Dawn White entered a not guilty plea on Brown’s behalf. White also set Brown’s bond at $50,000 — or 10 percent of that amount — despite prosecutor’s request for a bond in the $500,000-$750,000 range.
“The court does feel that he presents a danger to the public and that the allegations are such that driving the wrong way on a freeway, that in itself leads this court to believe that he’s a danger to the public,” White said, per the Detroit Free Press. “Based on the investigator’s report, there was alcohol involved, as an admission by Mr. Brown as well as from the PBT test. There were injuries from an accident.”



