Oregon Ducks freshman wide receiver Messiah Hampton was arrested and booked at the Lane County Jail on charges of reckless driving and eluding police, according to jail records confirmed by the Springfield Police Department. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of October 18 in Springfield, shortly after Oregon defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Autzen Stadium. During the high-speed chase, Springfield Police Department (SPD) officers pursued two vehicles before abandoning the pursuit for safety reasons. One of the vehicles involved was later found abandoned near the location where Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart was arrested and charged with a DUII, though SPD stated Stewart is not believed to be a suspect in the eluding case.
Ducks WR booked on reckless driving charges following high-speed chase in Springfield
Springfield Police Deputy Chief George Crolly confirmed to The Oregonian that Hampton has been identified as the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the chase. “Mr. Hampton has been identified as the driver of one of the vehicles,” Crolly stated. “We are still working to identify the driver of the other vehicle.” As of Friday night at 7 p.m. PT, Hampton remained in custody at the Lane County Jail. The arrest marks a significant off-field incident for the Ducks program, which had just secured a crucial victory over a Big Ten opponent.
The night also saw another Oregon player, tight end Jamari Johnson, cited for speeding. However, Deputy Crolly clarified that Johnson is not connected to the eluding incident involving Hampton. This development raises immediate questions regarding team discipline and the potential impact on Hampton’s eligibility and standing within the program. The Oregonian/Oregon Live was the first to report on the arrest, which has since been verified by multiple law enforcement sources. Fans and analysts are now watching closely to see how the University of Oregon administration and the NCAA respond to the freshman star’s legal troubles.
Source: Yahoo Sports
