Denver Broncos executive gets jail time in DUI crash
On behalf of Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. | May 27, 2014 | Vehicular Assault or Homicide
His arrest made headlines across the sporting world and his sentencing last week did, too. Denver Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell was sentenced to seven months in jail after he pleaded guilty to DUI, careless driving resulting in bodily injury and driving with an open alcohol container.
The crash last July resulted in the injury of a Breckenridge, Colorado, police officer.
A Summit County judge also ordered Russell to two years of supervised probation, therapy, substance abuse testing, as well as 120 hours of community service. Fees, fines and restitution are yet to be determined in the case.
However, Russell is eligible for work-release, and he will be able to serve his jail time in Arapahoe County, where he has a home.
The former University of Colorado attendee made a tearful apology to the injured officer, as well as to the town of Breckenridge.
He also acknowledged that he had "a (drinking) problem)" but that he was "ashamed to admit it."
He said he hopes to get an opportunity to apologize directly to the police officer, who was not in attendance in the court.
The deputy district attorney said the officer did not make an appearance because he believes Russell is getting off lightly. The officer wanted the Broncos executive charged with felony vehicular assault causing serious bodily injury.
The officer sustained a broken leg in the crash and has had two knee surgeries since.
However, the district attorney said he did not believe his office could prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a court that the injuries were "serious."
Though the officer disapproved of the plea deal reached in the case between the defendant, defendant's attorney and the district attorney's office, the court was satisfied that justice was done.
Source: Summit Daily, "Denver Broncos executive sentenced to seven months in jail for Breckenridge DUI," Joe Moylan, May 23, 2014