Sep 12, 2015
Browns' Gilbert crashes car following road rage incident
Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert crashed his car into a ditch following what police describe as a road rage incident. Gilbert was cited Friday by Brunswick, Ohio, police for failure to control his vehicle. Gilbert, a first-round draft pick last year, was not injured.
The Canadian Press
CLEVELAND - Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert was not injured after crashing his car into a ditch following a road rage incident with another driver.
Gilbert was cited Friday for failure to "maintain reasonable control of his vehicle" and released by Brunswick, Ohio, police. Gilbert, who had a disappointing rookie season after being drafted in the first round in 2014, is travelling with the Browns for their season opener on Sunday at the New York Jets.
According to police, the Ohio State Highway Patrol received a call about a road rage incident involving Gilbert and an unidentified man. After their cars exited Interstate 71, Gilbert crashed his car, causing damage. The other driver was given a citation for disorderly conduct. The police did not say what prompted the interaction between the drivers.
A Browns spokesman said Gilbert immediately informed the Browns about the incident, which took place a few hours after the team concluded practice.
The No. 8 overall pick in 2014, Gilbert didn't produce the way the Browns had hoped last season. He has been inconsistent and several of his teammates have said Gilbert needs to mature on and off the field. He was suspended for the final game last season against Baltimore for being late to a meeting.
Gilbert recently has been sidelined by a hip injury and is listed as questionable against the Jets.
Gilbert's incident caps a turbulent week for the Browns.
They traded running back Terrance West, their leading rusher last season, last Sunday when general manager Ray Farmer began serving a four-game NFL suspension for sending text messages to the sideline last season. Also, offensive line coach Andy Moeller was suspended indefinitely by the team for his involvement in an assault case still being reviewed by the Berea, Ohio, city prosecutor. And Thursday, the team waived former Oakland quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who had made the club's 53-man roster despite not catching a pass during the preseason.
___
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL