Michael Waltrip rolls SUV, is charged with leaving scene of accident
Embattled NASCAR star Michael Waltrip has some new problems on his plate. According to Yahoo Sports, he has been charged with reckless driving and failing to report an accident. The charges resulted from an incident over the weekend where Waltrip's Toyota Land Cruiser hit a telephone pole and rolled over about a mile from his house. He apparently fell asleep at the wheel, crashed and then walked home early Saturday morning.Police discovered the wrecked SUV and then tracked down the two-time Daytona 500 winner at his home, where he was quoted as saying he was embarrassed but glad he was unhurt in the incident. Police reported finding blood at the scene, but Waltrip apparently suffered only minor cuts and abrasions. Accordint to the authorities, they saw the SUV on its side, traced the plates and realized it was Waltrip's vehicle.
Waltrip's first season as a car owner running Toyotas in NASCAR has been a difficult one, to say the least. Illegal fuel additives found in his engine during the Daytona 500 led to a record fine of $100,000 and 100 drivers points in the championship standings. He hasn't even managed to qualify for any of the other five races since the 500. Driver Dale Jarrett has only made the field on provisionals for 5 of those 6 races and is currently 37th in the points. Teammate David Reutimann failed to make two races and is 43rd in the standings. And now, Waltrip has this matter to contend with. It simply hasn't been his year so far.
Thanks for the tip, TGM3!
[Source: Yahoo! Sports]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bill Connell 12:41PM (4/11/2007)
The question is whether the story would be as newsworthy if he drove one of the Big Three, don't you think?
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apex 12:13PM (4/11/2007)
As far as I know, there isnt a feild test for falling asleep at the wheel that he would be trying to avoid. Sounds more like trying to avoid that early morning DUI.
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JayP 12:19PM (4/11/2007)
Mikey isn't the sharpest knife, but I doubt he's stupid enough to toss a career away with a DUI.
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Mr. Oak 12:18PM (4/11/2007)
Mikey ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer. Been an idiot all his life. So, what's new.
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toyotasucks 12:19PM (4/11/2007)
Nascar star? ha ha ha ha, hardly.
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drewp 12:23PM (4/11/2007)
#3 I doubt Pacman Jones is dumb enough to brandish and fire a weapon outside of a strip club... You're giving these athletes too much credit.
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Viv 12:25PM (4/11/2007)
Mikey boy ain't even a NASCAR driver anymore. What a joke this guy is. He was fleeing from a DUI scene is what it is. That's why he wasn't at his house when the cops first showed up. WHat a loser.
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John 12:26PM (4/11/2007)
This is not the pole position Michael Waltrip had in mind given his on-track problems.
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P to the C 12:29PM (4/11/2007)
Fell asleep at the wheel, riiight...
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Todd 12:31PM (4/11/2007)
"...further investigation has shown that the point in the road where Waltrip crashed was a RIGHT turn."
http://www.exchange3d.com/cubecart/images/uploads/aff186/Right_Turn.jpg
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Gregg W. 12:34PM (4/11/2007)
...I heard he was charged with "excessive boogity, boogity".
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Gregg W. 12:55PM (4/11/2007)
The question is whether the story would be as newsworthy if he drove one of the Big Three, don't you think?
...Uh, no. Are you suggesting that if Mikey Waltrip rolled a Chevy Tahoe, Bob Lutz would dispatch black helicopters to clean the crime scene and kill any offending stories? That's funny. Lutz had the black helicopter program put on "pause" yesterday because of CAFE standards.
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MikeEfan 12:57PM (4/11/2007)
It amazes me how many judges we have in the world. Sometimes we forget just because people are in the public eye it gives us the right to trash their name. And I figure he at least gets to try to qualify every week which only 45-50 other people in the whole world get to do. GOOD LUCK MIKEY !!!!
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John P. 1:30PM (4/11/2007)
I really like Toyota's new marketing plan.
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Recury 1:31PM (4/11/2007)
It's OK to trash Mikey because, even in NASCAR, he stands out as the lamest corporate shill ever. I'm surprised he didn't work NAPA or Domino's into his mea culpa.
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Richie638 1:49PM (4/11/2007)
At least he wrecked a Toyota. Thanks Mike
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Mike 2:50PM (4/11/2007)
The only bad thing about him wrecking a Toyota is that they'll sell him another to replace it (or more likely give him one). Either way, I'm sure it'll show up as a sale on the books.
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uncle john 3:07PM (4/11/2007)
That's what you get for making a deal with the devil, Mikey.
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Bryan 3:15PM (4/11/2007)
One less hideous Toyota on the road. Karma came back to bite you in the butt didn't it?
Mikefan---please, public eye or not, he shouldnt have fled the scene. Don't make excuses for garbage. It is what it is.
Anyone else notice he has the G.W. Bush look on his face..the one where he is trying so hard not to look or sound stupid but it just doesnt work lol.
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redpillbluepill 3:19PM (4/11/2007)
Thank God he wasn't driving a Ford or Chevy, he'd probably still be in the vehicle, trapped or worse.
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