Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams fled the scene of an accident in October that left two cars totaled, but received just two traffic tickets and managed to avoid any criminal charges, according to a report from Mike McIntire and Walt Bogdanish of the New York Times.
Tallahassee police image takes another hit after FSU hit-and-run story
FSU cornerback P.J. Williams reportedly fled the scene of a crash that totaled two vehicles, but received just two traffic tickets instead of hit-and-run charges.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Williams reportedly drove his car into the path of another vehicle in the early-morning hours of Oct. 5, after FSU's 43-3 victory over Wake Forest. The ensuing collision totaled both vehicles and Williams, along with two passengers including FSU cornerback Ronald Darby, allegedly fled the scene before later returning.
According to the report, Tallahassee police initially described the incident as a hit-and-run, but later decided to only issue a pair of traffic tickets since he returned to the scene. That’s not unprecedented, as Tallahassee police provided the New York Times with seven other instances in which someone left the scene of a collision but was not charged with hit-and-run.
A review of those cases, however, found that none was comparable in severity or circumstances to the Oct. 5 crash. Four involved cars bumping into each other in parking lots, one caused no damage at all, and the other two were very minor; in no case did a driver abandon a wrecked vehicle in the middle of the night and flee the scene after totaling someone else’s car. Notably, most of the seven crash reports contained far more narrative detail about what happened than the report on the Oct. 5 accident.
Tallahassee officers did not test Williams for alcohol or note in the police report if they asked him whether he had been drinking.
This comes as the handling of a sexual assault allegation against Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston has been in the spotlight for a year. FOX Sports and New York Times reports alleged that police tampered with the 2013 investigation of the Heisman Trophy winner, handing over police reports to university officials and Winston's legal representation days before they were given to the state attorney.
Winston could face a university hearing as it pertains to the FSU code of conduct, but the hearing may provide the quarterback with an interestingly timed punishment that might not affect the team’s attempt to win the national championship. The university’s hearing was delayed and won’t begin until Dec. 1, and if it is concluded on Dec. 5, a decision would not be due until Jan. 13, one day after the College Football Championship.
NYT's FSU Story
Tallahassee police announced on Wednesday that FSU running back Karlos Williams will not receive charges after an investigation for domestic violence. In the police report, Williams is first identified as an FSU football player. Williams' girlfriend posted a picture on Facebook in October with bruises on her arm and a caption alleging the running back attacked her, but maintained that she did not want to press charges.
Update: FSU president John Thrasher responds:
The university administration wants to convey to you its profound disappointment in a New York Times article posted Nov. 14 suggesting a cover-up in connection with an Oct. 5 car accident that involved FSU football players. The evidence simply does not support the implications in the Times article.
The accident was worked by the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD). FSU police responded to a routine request from TPD but did not participate in the accident investigation, make any arrests or advise any of the student-athletes involved.
FSU officials worked for several weeks to provide the New York Times reporter with all of the data and information he sought. Facts were gathered and interviews conducted by the university in response to his questions, and information was provided to him in good faith to meet his deadlines. There was no “shifting story” from FSU. When new information came to light, the university promptly clarified the record for the reporter.
We want to assure you that, as FSU Police Chief David Perry made clear to the reporter, the department’s officers acted entirely appropriately and followed department procedures. We are disturbed that a newspaper with a distinguished reputation would print such a speculative story. Four experienced law enforcement officers were on site and none saw any indication of the driver being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The implication that anyone involved in the accident had anything to do with a burglary is totally unsupported and offensive. Finally, there is no indication of any special treatment of the student-athletes by the officers involved.
We will continue to monitor media coverage of this incident and respond appropriately, but we want you to know the university worked very hard to provide accurate information to the reporter and is disturbed by the result. When read carefully, it is clear the story contains no evidence to support any of the writer’s implications.
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