Ryan Mathews, the Pro Bowl starting Running Back for the San Diego Chargers, was involved in a minor automobile accident last night.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the 24-year-old Mathews was driving his 2010 BMW around midnight last night in the Sports Arena area. He was entering eastbound Interstate 8 from Sports Arena Boulevard a little too fast when he lost control of his car and slid into and collided with another vehicle.
The driver of the other vehicle was not injured in the crash. However, Mathews was taken to a local hospital to for examination after he complained of some pain. This likely won’t help the perception of him already being fragile.
CHP believes that drugs and/or alcohol were not a factor in the crash; much to the relief of many Chargers fans given a number of alcohol-related incidents involving Chargers players in recent years. CHP says Mathews was merely driving too fast, which is only fitting for the quick back.
The incident was confirmed by Chargers PR Director Bill Johnston. He said Mathews was "just a little shaken up" by the crash. However, his status for today’s practice — which is set to start at 3:45 PM PDT — was still up in the air.
UPDATE (3:33PM): According to The Gehlken, Mathews is out on the practice field but without his helmet or pads. He will just observe practice today.
Glad to hear he’s fine and that there wasn’t anything more nefarious involved. Let’s hope Mathews learned his lesson and keeps the hot-rodding on the field and slows down a bit on the roads.