Local News

MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ― Thursday afternoon Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Donte Stallworth extended his condolences to the family of the man he's accused of killing while driving drunk and said he had faith in the legal system.

Stallworth made the comments after he was released from the Miami-Dade Jail. The 28-year-old surrendered Thursday and went before a Miami-Dade Circuit Judge on DUI manslaughter charges following the death of a 59-year-old Kendall man who was struck while trying to cross the McArthur Causeway last month.

Flanked by his mother Donna and his attorney Chris Lyons, Stallworth came to court dressed in a white shirt, necktie and black suit. Judge Dennis Murphy reviewed some of the conditions of his bond and set April 23rd as a date for Stallworth's arraignment. The
hearing lasted three minutes and Stallworth was taken away for processing.

As he was released from jail, Stallworth said, "I just first wanted to extend my condolences to the Reyes family. I also want to thank my friends and family who've been with me and have been supportive. I have full faith and confidence in the due process."

Lyons said, "I just wanted to reiterate that this is the beginning of the legal process. I just want everyone to keep an open mind until the full airing of the facts in a court of law."

Lyons would not reveal his defense strategy, but he said his investigators would be digging into the facts surrounding this case and the accident that happened on a dark morning. It's not known how fast Stallworth was driving his car. Lyons also said, "There are no winners here. Football is the last thing on Donte's mind. His concerns are for his family and the Reyes family."

Stallworth's future in pro football is not clear. A spokesman for the Cleveland Browns told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that the organization considered the charges very serious and was disappointed. He said the Browns would not comment further until the Commissioner of the National Football League reviews this case.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Stallworth's blood alcohol level was .126, well above the legal limit of .08. The affidavit says an officer on the scene smelled alcohol on Stallworth's breath and he had "bloodshot, watery eyes."

That affidavit confirmed what CBS4 first reported after the accident: that a sobriety test showed that Stallworth was intoxicated when his black Bentley struck and killed Mario Reyes just after 7:00 a.m. on the morning of March 14th.

The affidavit provided new details. It said the 28-year-old Stallworth was at Club Liv on South Beach in the early morning hours. He left Club Liv and went to a home in Miami. He later went to his condominium on Biscayne Boulevard, arriving there at
6:18 a.m. Stallworth left in his black, 2005 Bentley GT and headed east on the McArthur Causeway.

The affidavit says sometime after 7:00 am, Reyes left his job as a crane operator at the southeastern end of the McArthur Causeway at Terminal Isle. He was on the crosswalk when he was struck by the Bentley's right front and fender. Reyes suffered critical, head, chest and stomach injuries. He was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he died.

Stallworth told an officer at the scene, "I'm the driver of that car. I hit the man lying in the road." It happened in darkness. The affidavit says Stallworth told police that he had time to honk his horn and flash his headlights to alert the victim that he was approaching the intersection prior to the impact.

According to the conditions of Stallworth's bond, he will not be allowed to consume alcohol or drugs. He'll have to submit to random alcohol and drug tests through the National Football League. He'll have to live at either his apartment in Cleveland or at his condominium on Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami. He'll need the permission of the court to travel and will have no contact with the family of Mario Reyes.

Stallworth will also be under curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. He will not be allowed to drive and will have to surrender his passport.

Attorney Rodolfo Suarez Jr. released a statement on Wednesday from the family of Mario Reyes. The statement said, "The family is encouraged by the fact the criminal investigation surrounding Mr. Reyes' tragic death is proceeding. The family will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement and the authorities to bring this case to an appropriate resolution. The family is still in a state of shock."

Mario Reyes was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. in search of a better life. He was
a huge baseball fan, particularly of the Marlins. He's survived by his wife of nearly 20 years, Catalina, and 15-year-old daughter, Daniela.

Donte Stallworth had signed a 7-year $35 million contract to play with the Cleveland Browns. Injuries severely limited his playing time last season, in which he had only 17 catches. Stallworth had previously played with the New England Patriots, the Philadelphia Eagles and the New Orleans Saints.

DUI manslaughter can carry a sentence of 15 years behind bars.

Stallworth had sent his condolences to the family of Mario Reyes two weeks ago. He said, "My family and I are grief stricken over the tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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