NEWS: Eddie Sutton Cited With DUI

[FR Turbo]

From NewsOK.com:

on February 13, 2006
Sutton cited with DUI

By The Associated Press


TULSA - Stillwater police said Monday that Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton was cited with driving under the influence after a Friday traffic accident, a Tulsa newspaper reported.
Stillwater Police Chief Norman McNickle confirmed the citation Monday..

Sutton was traveling to the Stillwater airport to fly with his team to College Station, Texas, when the accident occurred Friday. The coach sustained bruises to his head in the accident.

McNickle told the newpaper that Sutton also was cited with speeding and driving left of center.

[CHS_rulez]

Now the big QUESTION......Was he intoxicated during the game that same night. On the news clips of the game, the Coach Sutton looks as if he is stumbling slightly. Maybe it is just my eyes playing tricks on me, never the less the DUI is no surprise here.

[FR Turbo]

Hmmm... interestingly enough, the link and related story are no longer available on NewsOK.com. :confused:

[FR Turbo]

The report has been expanded to the following:

on February 13, 2006
Sutton cited for DUI

The Oklahoman


STILLWATER - Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton was cited for suspicion of driving under the influence when witnesses described erratic driving and behavior before and after a Friday afternoon accident.
According to statements in a police report, witnesses reported smelling a "slight fruity odor" on Sutton's breath and seeing a bottle of hydrocodone in his vehicle. Hydrocodone is a narcotic pain reliever related to codeine.

Stillwater police chief Norman McNickle would not discuss whether officers suspected alcohol or medication was the contributing factor.

"I can't say anything more," McNickle said this morning.

McNickle said the citation would be referred to the Payne County district attorney, but said DUI charges could not be filed until results of a blood test are returned, a process that could take six to eight weeks.

OSU announced this morning that Sutton, 69, was taking a leave of absence for the rest of the season.

Sutton has taken pain medication for extensive health problems in the last two years, including severe back and hip injuries. Sutton has admitted he was an alcoholic during his Arkansas and Kentucky coaching days, but entered the Betty Ford Clinic in 1987. There have been no suspicions of alcohol abuse since arriving at OSU in 1990.

According to the accident report, at approximately 5:45 p.m. Friday, Sutton rear-ended a car and ran off the road. He was charged with driving left of center and speeding 60 mph in a 45-mph zone.

According to the report, after striking a Chevrolet Suburban, Sutton's Dodge Durango veered left of center, traveled approximately one-eighth mile and struck a tree. At a news conference Friday night, OSU officials said Sutton suffered facial bruises and a laceration and was transported to Stillwater Medical Center, where he was held overnight for tests and observations. He was released Saturday afternoon.

According to a police report, a witness saw Sutton fall in the Gallagher-Iba Arena parking lot before getting into his vehicle.

According to the police report, a witness said Sutton was "unable to provide the date, approximate time, or current location, and could only tell his name and that he was in Stillwater." The report said the witness described Sutton as having "a slight fruity odor to breath with confusion and sometimes loud, angry verbal remarks toward questions."

McNickle said officers had to "have reasonable suspicion a person is under the influence.

"That could be drugs or alcohol. All he was charged with was driving left of center and speeding," McNickle said.

[PawneeSports]

It has been moved from the "FRONTPAGES" of the NewsOK.com, probably to keep their website getting so many hits in a short amount of time?

Here is the link: NewsOK.com Article (http://newsok.com/article/1760211/)

[FR Turbo]

It's back on the front page complete with diagram and witness statements.


http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/7792/f13sutton15ub.jpg

[Orangethunder]

I personally do not think Coach Sutton drank before any games and especially during this year. Pain meds IMO can make you feel woozy at times and probably think he increased the number of pills taken due to the severe pain.

The pills were not cutting it that is for sure.