Orange County prosecutors charged former NBA superstar Dennis Rodman with four misdemeanors Monday stemming from a July accident on a California freeway.
Rodman was charged with causing a hit-and-run with property damage, driving across a highway divider, giving false information to a police officer, and driving without a valid license, according to The Washington Post.
Rodman allegedly drove the wrong way on Interstate 5 around 12:30 a.m. on July 20, causing another driver to crash into the median wall to avoid hitting Rodman’s Range Rover, The Washington Post reported. Rodman reportedly had a conversation with the driver who crashed but left before giving insurance or other information to the driver and before police arrived on the scene.
The California Highway Patrol recommended felony charges at the time of the incident.
Rodman had reportedly been at a karaoke bar before the accident, and it is not known whether the 55-year-old Hall-of-Famer had been drinking prior to the crash. According to TMZ, officials said Rodman lied to investigators trying to piece together the events.
A representative for Rodman told TMZ, “We agree that if anything, this is a misdemeanor traffic matter and certainly not a felony. We appreciate the district attorney evaluation and know that it should resolve successfully when all facts are considered.”
Rodman's attorney Paul Meyer blamed the accident on a poorly designed exit ramp, according to People.
If Rodman is convicted on all four counts, he could face up to two years in jail.
Rodman won five NBA titles with the Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, and Mavericks. He was also named NBA defensive player of the year twice and garnered seven rebounding titles.
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