Ravens release RB Bernard Pierce following DUI charge

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce has been charged with DUI and released by Baltimore.

The Baltimore Ravens have released running back Bernard Pierce, the team announced on Wednesday.

Pierce was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, Baltimore County police said.

The Baltimore Sun was the first to report Pierce's arrest.

Police said that Pierce was driving a 2014 Ford Mustang and was pulled over for speeding in Towson, a Baltimore suburb, just before 2 a.m.

The officer suspected that Pierce was drinking and had him exit the vehicle, after which he failed field sobriety tests. He was arrested and taken to the Baltimore County police's Towson precinct to be processed. Per departmental procedures, he was later released.

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Pierce, 23, is charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, exceeding maximum speed (55 mph in a posted 30 mph zone), and driving a vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on highway.

According to WBALTV's Lowell Melser, when Pierce was on the way to the precinct he told the arresting officer, "Do you know what happened the last time a Ravens player got a DUI? I'm getting cut tomorrow, not like you care." 

The two previous Ravens players that were arrested this off-season, defensive tackle Terrence Cody and defensive back Victor Hampton, were both released by the team.

Pierce was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. Last season, he had 93 carries for 366 yards and two touchdowns.

- Scooby Axson and Stanley Kay