Grand jury indicts Redskins' Haynesworth
By: John Keim
Examiner Staff Writer
March 13, 2009
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| Newly signed Redskin Albert Haynesworth was indicted by a grand jury with charges stemming from a traffic accident that happened Dec. 13 in Tennessee. Haynesworth was already on probation. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) |
A grand jury handed down an indictment against Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, alleging reckless driving and having an expired registration, charges that could result in jail time.
Williamson County (Tenn.) District Attorney Kim Helper said Haynesworth turned himself in to authorities Wednesday night and was released. He will be arraigned March 30. He does not need to be present at his arraignment. Haynesworth could opt for a trial.
The reckless driving charge is a Class B misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $500 fine. The expired registration charge is a Class C misdemeanor and carries a maximum punishment of 30 days in jail and a $50 fine.
Haynesworth, who signed a seven-year $100-million deal with Washington earlier this month, allegedly sped past Corey Edmonson on Interstate 65 in Nashville, Tenn., causing Edmonson to lose control of his car and crash into the median. Edmonson needed hip replacement surgery after the crash.
Four days earlier Haynesworth was clocked driving 103 mph in a 70-mph zone. He received 30 days probation for that December incident. Haynesworth did not report the incident involving Edmonson to his probation officer.
Helper would not speculate on a possible outcome and if Haynesworth would receive another probation period.
“What happened in this case from our perspective is not any different than it would have happened to anyone else,” Helper said. “The reason it’s getting attention is that it’s Albert Haynesworth. What’s troubling to me is that he was placed on probation and four days later is involved in another situation in which we believe speed was a factor and that’s why we went forward and presented the facts to a grand jury.”
An e-mail to Haynesworth’s agent Chad Speck was not immediately returned. The Redskins declined to comment.
