Florida: Miami’s Mark Dalton busted from team after crossing the DUI goal line

Mark Dalton U of Miami football player DUI Miami Police 042216

Mark Dalton U of Miami football player DUI Miami Police 042216

From Miami Herald:

MIAMI, FLA. — Freshman University of Miami running back Mark Walton was arrested in Miami early Saturday morning and charged with driving under the influence, police said.

Walton, who turned 19 last month, was also charged with driving with a license he knew was suspended. He was promptly suspended from the football team.

According to an arrest report, Miami police reached Walton at about 3:45 a.m. on a residential street about four miles northeast of UM’s campus in Coral Gables. He was in the driver’s seat. Police noticed “that he had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his mouth, that his eyes were watery and bloodshot, and that when he spoke he slurred his words.”

“Also, when the defendant exited the vehicle, he almost lost his balance walking to the back of his vehicle,” the report says.

The freshman was immediately suspended from the team

Walton failed the portion of the sobriety test in which he was asked to walk in a straight line. Once his breath was tested at the police station, however, his alcohol level was .059 and .060, both below the legal limit of .08 for adults. However, the limit for drivers under 21 is .02.

A police spokeswoman, Kenia Fallat, said officers saw Walton while they were conducting an investigation, and suspected he was drunk. She wouldn’t give any details about that investigation. A source with knowledge of the incident told the Miami Herald that Walton was suspected of impersonating a police officer, and using the status to flirt with at least one woman.

“We are aware of the situation regarding Mark Walton and we have taken immediate action by suspending him from the team,’’ UM athletic director Blake James said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.’’

Walton, who attended Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, was designated the first-team running back by new UM coach Mark Richt. ….MORE