NFL star released from hospital, faces domestic assault charges

SAN DIEGO — Former NFL defensive standout Junior Seau was released from a San Diego hospital Tuesday, a day after being sought on a domestic violence charge and plunging his white Escalade over a seaside cliff.

Leading up to the crash, the former San Diego Charger and USC Trojan football star was arrested early Monday morning after allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend, according to a release issued by the Oceanside Police Department.

According to the statement, police responded to a call reporting a domestic violence assault at Seau’s home on South Strand in Oceanside about 10:13 p.m. Sunday. Though Seau wasn’t present, police arrived to find the 25-year-old-victim, Seau’s girlfriend, who alleged Seau had assaulted her during a verbal argument that had apparently escalated. The victim reportedly suffered minor injuries and didn’t require medical treatment.

Seau made contact with his girlfriend shortly thereafter and returned to the residence where he was arrested just after midnight Oct. 18, and booked into the Vista Detention Facility. He then posted bail and was released.

Later Monday morning, around 9 a.m., in the neighboring city of Carlsbad, police and rescue units responded to reports of an SUV that had veered off a coastal cliff and landed on the beach below. Seau was quickly identified as the driver in the solo crash.

The San Diego News reports that Seau told police he fell asleep at the wheel. The Cadillac Escalade swerved off the road and flew off the cliff, landing nose-first on the beach before flipping over. Seau was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital, having suffered minor injuries, and was released Tuesday morning about 11 a.m.

The San Diego News also reports authorities as saying that Seau will be arraigned on the domestic violence charges Oct. 25 in Vista Superior Court.