The Cleveland Browns have waived defensive end Lonnie Phelps following his arrest on DUI charges in Key West, Fla. on Wednesday night.
According to the Key West Police Department incident report, obtained by TMZ Sports, the crash occurred at around 8:47 p.m. outside of the Red Shoe Island Bistro in Key West. Key West police arrived to find a hole in the side of the building where the SUV crashed. Phelps caused about $300,000 worth of damage.
Phelps and his female passenger, a 21-year-old woman, both appeared intoxicated and neither were cooperative, according to the police report.
“Phelps turned around and placed his hands behind his back (without being asked to do so), stumbled and almost fell over,” the officer wrote, via FOX 8 News in Cleveland.
While being transported, officers stated Phelps complained constantly. TMZ reported that he refused to take a breathalyzer … and at one point, urinated on himself while sitting on a chair.
Joesph Schroeder, the restaurant’s property owner, told FOX 8 News that no one was injured at the eatery, since it was closed at the time. He said the vehicle smashed into the front of the building, blasting concrete and debris 20 feet inside.
“If anybody was there, there would have been fatalities,” he said. “Thank God nobody was there. I’m happy that the place wasn’t open for business when it happened. Loss of life is something you can’t repair.”
Phelps signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas last year. He did not record any regular season snaps during his rookie year in Cleveland. He signed a reserve/future contract with Cleveland on Jan. 15, 2024.
The Browns released a statement on the incident this morning prior to releasing Phelps. “We are aware of the incident, gathering more information and have no further comment at this time.”FOX 8 News reports that Phelps is due for arraignment on July 2.
