Former Tech star Jarrett Jack charged with DUI in Gwinnett

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

New Orleans Hornets guard Jarrett Jack, who helped lead Georgia Tech to the 2004 NCAA title game, was arrested in Gwinnett County early Sunday on charges of DUI, speeding and failure to maintain his lane, police said.

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Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office Jarrett Jack was arrested Feb. 20, 2011, and charged with DUI and other driving offenses.

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Jack, 27, who has an Atlanta address, was stopped in a black Mercedes-Benz shortly after 4 a.m. for speeding on U.S. 78 westbound near McGee Road, Snellville police said. He was driving 66 in a 45 mph zone, police said.

"The officer paced the vehicle, verifying that it was speeding, and observed the vehicle cross the center line and the fog line," Snellville Police Chief Roy Whitehead wrote in an email. "He stopped the vehicle and smelled an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the driver, Jarrett Matthew Jack. He conducted field sobriety tests, which Mr. Jack failed."

Because the police department's Intoxilyzer was not working, Jack was given the test at the Gwinnett County Jail, according to Whitehead. Jack registered a .079 at 5:38 a.m., 90 minutes after the traffic stop, according to Whitehead.

"In general, alcohol dissipates from the system at approximately .02 grams per hour," Whitehead wrote. "Therefore, he would have been over the limit of .08 at the time of the driving infraction."

Whitehead also noted that drivers can be charged with DUI-less safe if they register anything above .04 and are seen speeding and weaving.

Jack was selected 22nd overall in the NBA draft after leaving Tech following his junior season. He was the sixth Yellow Jacket to break 1,000 points and 500 assists in a career. As a junior, Jack led Tech in scoring (15.5), assists (4.5), steals (1.8) and 3-point shooting (44.2 percent).

New Orleans is his fourth NBA team. Jack, who backs up Chris Paul at point guard, is averaging 7.6 points and 2.8 assists.

Attempts to reach Jack were unsuccessful Monday.

The Hornets return from the All-Star break to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.