Police tried several times to awaken Jamal Anderson the night the former Falcons running back was charged with DUI, and eventually had to go through the sunroof to get into the SUV he was driving, according to an incident report obtained Monday.
Anderson, 39, was pulled over around 4 a.m. June 24 on Chamblee-Tucker Road near I-85 in DeKalb County. Police said his 2008 black Cadillac Escalade was stopped in the middle lane of the road, impeding traffic.
A DeKalb police officer pulled up behind Anderson's SUV and "observed the traffic light at the intersection turn green several times, but the vehicle did not move," according to the report.
The officer said the SUV's windows were rolled up and Anderson was asleep at the wheel.
"I tapped on Mr. Anderson's window several times in an attempt to wake him up. Mr. Anderson did not wake up," according to the report.
The officer said he was unable to open the car door and summoned backup. The two officers used their cars to block the Escalade from rolling, and "I then reached into Mr. Anderson's vehicle through his open sunroof and unlocked his vehicle."
After putting the Escalade in park, turning off the ignition and removing the keys, the officer said he tapped Anderson several times and he still did not wake up. Anderson finally awoke, the report said, but not until he had been handcuffed.
Anderson denied he had been drinking but said he'd been having family problems, according to the report. The officer said he noticed "a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" and that Anderson was sweating profusely and his eyes were bloodshot, according to the report.
"Mr. Anderson's speech was slurred and he stumbled getting out of his car," the officer wrote.
After giving Anderson a field sobriety test, the officer charged him with DUI. He said Anderson refused to take a breathalyzer test.
Anderson's attorneys told the AJC last week that Anderson was not drunk but just extremely tired after a visit with his family.
"It appears that Mr. Anderson was tired after a long day of travel, spending time with his children, and visiting with out-of-town friends," attorneys Michael Hawkins and Parag Shah said in an emailed statement. "He was not, however, driving under the influence of alcohol."
"He was polite and cooperative with the police, even agreeing to submit to roadside balancing tests despite his injured knees," his attorneys said.
Anderson was booked into the DeKalb County jail and was released later Sunday morning after posting $1,500 bond. His attorneys said he would plead "not guilty" if the charges are filed in court.
Anderson, a seventh-round pick for the Falcons in the 1994 draft, played eight seasons with the team before a career-ending knee injury. The Pro Bowl running back was a fan favorite, known for his "Dirty Bird" endzone dance.
"Jamal is deeply saddened by this incident and apologizes to his family, friends, and fans for this distraction," his attorneys said.
