University of Georgia outside linebacker Cornelius Washington made four tackles and two sacks Saturday as the Bulldogs beat Mississippi State 24-10, but his biggest stop of the weekend came at the hands of the Commerce Police Department early Sunday morning.
Just a few hours after the best game of his career, Washington found himself in the Jackson County Jail on charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and speeding.
A Commerce officer pulled over a silver SUV driven by Washington at about 1:48 a.m. for doing 92 miles per hour on the U.S. 441 bypass. The speed limit on the bypass is 55
Washington, 22, listed his address at 447 Windham Road, Hephzibah.
A female passenger in the front seat was also charged with underage consumption of alcohol. She is identified as Lindsay Renee Garic, 20, 861 Four Points Road Northwest, Lot 25, Keysville.
The officer who made the stop, described by chief John Gaissert as "a veteran officer," said in the written arrest report that he immediately smelled alcohol upon making contact with Washington. The officer first charged Garic, who blew a .176 on the roadside alcosensor.
"I then asked Mr. Washington how much he had to drink and he stated a couple of shots several hours prior," the officer wrote.
The officer asked Washington to undergo an alcosensor test, on which he blew a .12. The legal requirement for a DUI charge is .08.
The officer then said he asked Washington to perform a field sobriety test, which Washington flunked.
He was transported to the Jackson County Jail from which he was later released on $3,500 bond. Two other passengers, ages 21 and 22, were escorted to their hotel by police.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, UGA head football coach Mark Richt announced that the 6-4, 270-pound junior will be suspended for at least the next two games.
