Stallworth Makes a Deal in DUI Case
NFL star pleads guilty, will spend 30 days behind bars in manslaughter case
By BRIAN HAMACHER
Updated 5:36 PM EST, Tue, Jun 16, 2009
NFL star Donte Stallworth will spend a month in jail for a fatal DUI manslaughter charge after copping a plea deal in a Miami courtroom today.
The Cleveland Browns wide receiver will serve 30 days behind bars, perform 1.000 hours of community service and will be on probation for 10 years after pleading guilty.
A confidential settlement was also reached today between Stallworth and the family of the man he killed while behind the wheel of his 2005 Bentley in the early hours of March 14.
Stallworth struck and killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes with his luxury car after a night of clubbing in Miami Beach. The 28-year-old had a blood alcohol level of .126 when the accident occurred, well over the legal limit of .08. Reyes, a construction worker, was on his way home after working overnight.
The veteran receiver stopped after the crash and told officers he had hit Reyes, saying Reyes was not in the crosswalk. Police say Stallworth has cooperated throughout the investigation.
Stallworth was facing up to 15 years in prison had he been found guilty in the incident. Prosecutors said the plea deal was reached out a a desire of Reyes' family to end the case.
"We have been in intense negotiations for the past couple of days," Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office spokeswoman Terry Chavez said. "We always take the victim's wishes into account."
The terms of Stallworth's settlement with the Reyes family are unknown.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC New York
First Published: Jun 16, 2009 5:23 AM EST
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