49ers DE Aldon Smith arrested for hit-and-run, DUI, vandalism
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Aldon Smith was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of hit-and-run, driving under the influence and vandalism, the Santa Clara California police department said.
Smith told ABC7 in San Francisco, who first reported the news, that it was not a DUI.
“The people who are faithful remain faithful,” Smith said. “Simple as this: Justice will be served, the truth will come out, there’s no DUI. I’m sorry for anybody I let down, I’m sorry for the way this whole thing ... I need to speak and I want everybody to understand, this wasn’t a DUI, the situation I had could have been handled differently and I apologize for everybody I did let down and I apologize for how it all played out. But as far as everything is concerned, it will work out the way it’s supposed to work out. That’s all.”
Smith was being held on $26,000 bail and was bailed out of Santa Clara County Jail later Friday, according to ABC7. The police department said it would release more information on Smith's arrest later in the day.
This marks the fifth time that Smith has been arrested in the past three years, having been booked also on charges of illegal possession of an assault weapon, suspicion of driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and making a false report of a bomb threat at the Los Angeles International Airport. He was not charged in the airport incident.
Smith missed the first nine games of the 2014 season after being suspended for violating the NFL's personal-conduct and substance-abuse policies. Smith also missed time during the 2013 season to undergo treatment at an inpatient facility following that DUI arrest.
Just this week, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke told reporters that the team had plans to keep Smith, who is in the final season of his deal, after restructuring his $9.75 million contract
“Aldon's like any young player, he's growing up, he's maturing. You see that with a lot of these guys,” Baalke said. “Some of them get themselves in a few more situations that you wish they didn't. If you asked them, I think they'd say the same thing. Really pleased with the way he's handled things, the way he's working both personally and professionally.”
Smith has 44 sacks and five forced fumbles in the 50 games he has played since San Francisco selected him with the No. 7 pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
- Scooby Axson
