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Eric Woodyard, ESPN 3y

Ex-Detroit Lions CB Alex Brown facing four charges after car accident that injured teammate

NFL, Detroit Lions

DETROIT, Mich. -- Just one day after being waived by the Detroit Lions, Alex Brown was charged in connection with a non-fatal car accident that also injured his teammate, Wayne County, Michigan, prosecutor Kym Worthy announced Monday.

The cornerback has been charged with two counts of operating while under the influence causing serious injury and two counts of reckless driving causing serious injury. 

Brown was arraigned Tuesday and given a $50,000 bond. He also was ordered to have no alcohol or drugs, wear an alcohol tether, have an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle and surrender his passport.

According to Worthy's office, it is alleged that Brown was intoxicated and driving at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of I-75 near I-375 early Sunday morning in Detroit when he struck a man's car head on. The 27-year-old from Detriot was transported to a local hospital with injuries to his legs.

Brown's teammate, tight end Charlie Taumoepeau, was Brown's front-seat passenger and was trapped in the car until removed with the Jaws of Life.

Taumoepeau was also waived with a non-football injury designation on Monday.

"We are aware of the situation from Sunday morning involving Alex Brown," the Lions said a statement. "Alex was waived from the team Sunday afternoon and Charlie Taumoepeau is receiving proper medical care following injuries sustained from the incident.

"Driving under the influence is a matter we take very seriously. We as an organization extend our thoughts and support to the victim and his family during his recovery."

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday that he addressed the team Monday morning regarding the incident, using it as a teachable moment about good decision-making as they move forward. Campbell said "it hits home pretty good" but that he is thankful nobody died.

"It was an awful incident and an awful accident. It's something certainly we don't condone and we brought it up. It's one of those eye-openers," Campbell said. "It's not OK to jump in a car after you drink because bad things happen. That's what Uber's out there for. Don't even take your car when you know you're going out, just Uber to go out there and Uber to come home. So, it's an awful accident and I'm praying for Charlie. It's like he's getting out of the woods here, but this is tough."

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