JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 28: Denard Robinson #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars enters the stadium before the preseason NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at EverBank Field on August 28, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson was found asleep at the wheel by police as his car was sinking into a retention pond in Jacksonville, Florida, early Sunday.
A female was also asleep in the passenger seat of Robinson’s Chevy Impala when authorities approached the car at approximately 4:22 am on Sunday. Both Robinson and the passenger had to be assisted out of the vehicle.
After a police officer determined that Robinson was not impaired, no DUI charges were filed against the 25-year-old NFL star. Neither Robinson nor his passenger were injured.
The woman was later identified as 29-year-old Marissa O. Staples of Cincinnati.
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The car was totaled. Authorities didn’t observe any skid marks that could have indicated Robinson tried to hit his brakes before the car went into the pond. The police report adds that both Robinson and the other passenger were reluctant to exit the vehicle despite the officer telling them that the car was sinking into the pond. The report also added the incident occurred after Robinson attempted to make a left turn onto a boulevard, but went too wide and drove across a sidewalk and down an embankment.
Robinson addressed the incident in a Tweet on Tuesday.
“I just wanted to let everyone know that I was involved in a single-car accident on Saturday night, and thankfully, everyone was safe and remained unharmed,” he said. “I thank God every single day for the opportunities he has presented me with and I’m grateful every morning to wake up healthy.
“I should not have been driving that late or when I was that tired, but again, I’m just glad that everyone was safe. God Bless.”
The Jaguars said in a statement that they were aware of the accident and that they are “thankful that nobody was injured.”
Robinson–who was selected by the Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft after playing quarterback at Michigan– has played for Jacksonville for three seasons, rushing for 914 yards with five touchdowns in 42 games (12 starts) plus 44 receptions for 288 yards. He is expected to be used as a change-of-pace option in the backfield this season behind starter Chris Ivory.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 28: Denard Robinson #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars enters the stadium before the preseason NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at EverBank Field on August 28, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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