A Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive lineman and fourth round draft pick from University of Washington was arrested early Sunday on charges of leading police on a chase while driving drunk and crashing into parked cars, injuring a woman, authorities said.
Alameda Ta’amu, 22, of Kent, was driving a sport utility vehicle the wrong way on Pittsburgh’s South Side at about 2:30 a.m., police said. The 6-foot-3, 348-pound Ta’amu fled from officers and crashed into four parked cars, injuring a woman, then tried to flee on foot before he was restrained by four officers and arrested, police said.
Charges against him include felony fleeing police, aggravated assault and aggravated assault by vehicle, as well as misdemeanor accident causing damage, resisting arrest, escape and DUI charges, along with summary counts, according to court records.
“We are disappointed to hear about the situation regarding Alameda Ta’amu,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement. “We will gather more facts before providing any further comment.”
According to the criminal complaint, an off-duty detective called police to say the SUV was swerving across double yellow lines and passing several vehicles at a time, running red lights and speeding in an area that had many pedestrians. Several police officers ordered the driver to stop but he refused, causing them to dive out of the way to avoid being run over, authorities alleged.
The SUV then crashed into a parked vehicle, injuring the driver, who was treated at a hosptial and later released, police said. After crashing into several other cars, the vehicle was disabled, and Ta’amu then fled on foot, taking off his shirt in what authorities say was an attempt to evade the pursuing officers.
Finally, the officers caught up to him in a parking lot and ordered him to the ground, but he resisted being handcuffed and appeared to be reaching toward his waistband, which the officers feared was an attempt to draw a weapon, so one officer punched him twice, police said. Ta’amu was then handcuffed and transported in a police wagon “due to (his) extremely large size,” authorities said.
Police said in the criminal complaint that the defendant’s breath smelled of alcohol and a breath test indicated a blood-alcohol content of .196 percent, more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent.
Ta’amu was drafted in the fourth round out of Washington. He has yet to play this season.
RAVENS’ JONES TIES NFL RECORD
Jacoby Jones of the Baltimore Ravens tied an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return.
Jones’ return came in the third quarter of Baltimore’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. He took the kick in the middle of the end zone, veered to his right around the 10-yard line, broke an arm tackle by Andre Holmes and outdistanced kicker Dan Bailey down the right sideline.
The return tied the mark set by Ellis Hobbs of New England against the New York Jets in 2007 and matched in 2011 by Randall Cobb of Green Bay against New Orleans.
The Ravens’ record for a kickoff return was 103 yards by David Reed against Houston in 2010.
SACK INJURES KOLB
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb was injured while being sacked against the Buffalo Bills.
Kolb was injured with just over two minutes remaining in Sunday’s game when he tried to fall forward and two Bills players landed on him.
The Cardinals said Kolb injured his ribs and he did not return.
John Skelton, who was active for the first time since he was injured in the Sept. 9 opener against Seattle, replaced Kolb.
EXTRA POINTS
Kansas City’s Brady Quinn made his first start in nearly three years, filling in for the injured Matt Cassel against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. … Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb might have torn the ACL in his right knee. Webb banged his knee in a first-quarter collision with Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant. Webb remained prone on the field for several minutes before being helped to the sideline. … New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller and rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill were active for the team’s game against Indianapolis after missing a few weeks with hamstring injuries. … St. Louis Rams reserve defensive tackle Matthew Conrath was inactive because of a knee injury. … Redskins QB Robert Griffin III was active for Washington’s game against Minnesota, a week after getting a concussion, but receiver Pierre Garon was out with a sore right foot. … Green Bay Packers receiver Greg Jennings (groin injury) was among the inactive players against Houston. … Running back Brandon Jacobs is inactive again for San Francisco.
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