Lions DT Nick Fairley found not guilty of DUI in 2012 case
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley has been found not guilty of DUI in a case stemming from 2012, according to Jacqueline Quynh of WKGR in Mobile, Alabama.
Fairley was found guilty of reckless driving in the same case, and will pay a $500 fine, according to Quynh.
The 27-year-old was arrested and charged in May 2012 after being accused of driving more than 100 mph in Alabama.
"I feel great," he told AL.com. "I just want to get this behind me and move forward."
"I'm ready to go back to Houston to start training, rehabbing and get ready for all these teams to come look at me."
In December, Fairley rejected a plea offer and his attorney said Fairley was hoping to be placed in a diversion program.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Fairley's then-girlfriend (now fiancée) testified Wednesday that Fairley had only one drink the day the two were stopped, and that the drink was hours before he was pulled over. She also testified that a cup containing alcohol that was in the car was hers, not Fairley's.
Alabama State Trooper Carl Johnson, who pulled the vehicle over, testified "he administered three field-sobriety tests to Fairley after the 1 a.m. traffic stop, all of which indicated [Fairley] was intoxicated," according to the Free Press.
Fairley played in eight games last season before sustaining a knee injury on Oct. 26 that kept him out for the rest of the year. The Lions did not renew his contract and he could become a free agent in March.
- Molly Geary
