Oregon wide receiver Messiah Hampton was arrested and booked into the Lane County Jail on Friday, Oct. 30, facing two felony charges of attempting to elude police and one misdemeanor count of reckless driving. The freshman from Rochester, New York, was released from custody late Friday night but remains under legal scrutiny for his role in a high-speed chase that unfolded in the early morning hours of Oct. 18. This incident occurred shortly after Oregon’s 17-14 victory over Nebraska, marking a significant off-field complication for the Ducks’ roster during a critical stretch of the season.
Freshman star faces felony charges after Oct. 18 incident; search for second driver continues
Police sources confirmed to The Oregonian that Hampton was identified as one of the drivers involved in the pursuit, which saw two vehicles evade Springfield, Oregon, police. While no arrests were made immediately following the chase, investigators later located one of the vehicles abandoned near the scene where Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart was separately arrested and booked for driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII). Authorities clarified that Stewart is not a suspect in the high-speed chase, nor is tight end Jamari Johnson, who was cited for speeding during the same morning incident. The law enforcement search for the second driver involved in the elusion remains active.
Hampton’s legal troubles present a complex situation for Oregon’s coaching staff as they navigate the remainder of the college football schedule. Although Hampton was listed on the availability report Friday night, the severity of the felony charges could impact his eligibility and standing with the university. The incident underscores the heightened scrutiny facing student-athletes, with the Ducks organization now balancing on-field performance with the ongoing legal proceedings and the unresolved status of the second driver in the chase.
Source: Yahoo Sports
