Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Samajie Grant was cited on suspicion
of driving under the influence early Saturday morning, hours after
helping the UA to a 42-35 win over rival Arizona State.
Grant will not start in Friday's Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon, coach Rich Rodriguez said in a statement to the Star on Saturday evening.
"We
were notified earlier today of an issue involving Samajie Grant. After
communicating with Samajie, local law enforcement and our athletics
administration, we've decided that the appropriate form of action is to
make sure Samajie receives counseling and takes part in
community-service activities," Rodriguez said. "We're disappointed in
Samajie's decision-making, but we expect this to be an isolated incident
and he won't be starting in the Pac-12 Championship game."
Grant
failed a field sobriety test, said Deputy Tom Peine, a spokesman for the
Pima County Sheriff's Department. Grant cooperated with authorities and
was cited and released at the scene, Peine said. Grant was pulled over
by a deputy on the DUI enforcement unit that was patrolling the area of
North Campbell Avenue and East Sixth Street, Peine said.
The
deputy noticed a Chevrolet Camaro traveling west on Sixth Street and
turning north onto Campbell, Peine said. The deputy observed a vehicle
with the license plate lights not working and observed behavior of a
possibly impaired driver, he said.
The deputy conducted a traffic
stop near Campbell and East Third Street and noted seven people in the
vehicle. He also smelled marijuana from the car, Peine said.
Grant was identified as the driver and was asked to exit the vehicle, Peine said.
After
failing the field sobriety test, probable cause was found to cite and
release Grant for driving under the influence of drugs, minor in
possession of spirituous liquor, person under 21 in physical control of a
motor vehicle with spirituous liquor, and driving without a valid
operator's license, Peine said.
The vehicle was impounded because Grant didn't have a driver's license, Peine said.
Grant,
a sophomore from Compton, California, had four catches for 91 yards and
two touchdowns in Arizona's win over Arizona State.
UA athletic director Greg Byrne said the athletic department was made aware of the incident Saturday.
"We've
been in contact with Samajie and local law enforcement has informed us
that he was cooperative during the process," Byrne said. "We're
extremely disappointed in Samajie and he will be undergoing counseling
and taking part in community service as a result of his actions."
