Giants offensive lineman David Diehl was arraigned for allegedly driving while intoxicated a day after police say he crashed his BMW into four parked cars as he left a bar in Queens, prosecutors said.
The 31-year-old NFL veteran was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court Monday afternoon. He faces up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine if convicted. Diehl was released on his own recognizance and is due in court next month. His license has been suspended in the meantime.
Diehl issued a statement late Monday via Twitter apologizing for the incident.
"I've worked hard during my career to set a positive example, and I fell far short of this standard," he tweeted. "I apologize to my family, my fans, my teammates, the New York Giants, and the NFL. I made a poor decision that I sincerely regret, and, as always, take full responsibility for my actions."
Diehl's attorney, Gary Certain, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
The Giants declined to comment on the arrest but said Diehl "has been an outstanding representative of this organization for the past 10 years, and nobody knows more than David does what is expected of our players both on and off the field."
Prosecutors allege Diehl crashed his black BMW into four parked cars on 35th Avenue in Astoria Sunday evening after leaving a local bar where he had been watching a soccer game.
Diehl stayed at the scene after the incident. When police arrived, an officer allegedly smelled a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and noticed he had slurred speech, watery, bloodshot eyes and seemed unsteady on his feet.
Prosecutors say Diehl admitted to police that he had been driving the BMW that hit the parked cars and that he had been at a bar prior to the crash.
During a Breathalyzer test at the 112th precinct, Diehl tested at .18, more than twice the legal limit of .08, police and prosecutors said.
Fellow Giant Steve Weatherford tweeted Monday: "Everyone has made a mistake. Dave Diehl has been a Giant for 10 years, and been role model longer than that. He has my full support."
Diehl was selected by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft and became the second Big Blue rookie to start all 16 games. He was signed to a six-year, $31 million contract in 2008 and was elected to the 2010 Pro Bowl.
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