By Danny Cox The Pittsburgh Steelers are already dealing with so many problems on the field, that they really don’t need any off of the field. Sadly, that is what they got early on Sunday when a rookie defensive lineman was arrested for DUI, but it wasn’t that simple. READ MORE: Stimulus Check Latest: Will You Be Receiving A Plus-Up Payment? 22-year-old Alameda Ta’amu (#95) was arrested early Sunday morning on charges of: Leading police on a chase Driving drunk Crashing into parked cars Injuring a woman (Credit, Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) Ta’amu was driving a sport utility vehicle the wrong way on Pittsburgh’s South Side around 2:30 a.m. Police state that the rookie defensive lineman fled from officers and crashed into four parked cars before injuring a woman and trying to flee on foot. He was restrained by police and then arrested. Ta’amu is 6-foot-3 and weighs 348 pounds, so it took four officers to get him restrained and in custody. Charges against the rookie include felony fleeing police, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault by vehicle. On top of those, Ta’amu is charged with misdemeanor accident causing damage, resisting arrest, escape, and DUI. “We are disappointed to hear about the situation regarding Alameda Ta’amu,” Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement. “We will gather more facts before providing any further comment.” Ta’amu’s blood-alcohol content was .196 percent according to police, and that is more than twice the legal limit. Officers even feared that he was going for a weapon during attempts to handcuff him, which caused one officer to punch Ta’amu twice and then place him in a police wagon. Drafted in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft, Ta’amu has yet to play this season for the Steelers. READ MORE: Precautionary Testing Underway At Ten Mile Creek Due To Oil Leak Pittsburgh will be able to move past this issue since it was a player that wasn’t really overly ...
Dui
‘Almost A War Zone Out There’; Pittsburgh’s South Side Back In The Spotlight As Center Of Controversy For Pittsburgh Athletes
By: KDKA-TV News Staff PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — While it may be famous for its vast array of bars, restaurants, tattoo parlors, and often being the destination of those looking for a fun night out, Pittsburgh’s South Side is gaining a new notoriety — for being a place where Pittsburgh celebrities and athletes alike find themselves in trouble. Accused Of Assault NFL star Aaron Donald, a former Pitt player and Penn Hills native, is the latest among a long list of college and professional athletes to find themselves embroiled in controversy or legal trouble after being involved in different types of incidents on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Earlier this week, Aaron Donald was accused of assaulting another man at a South Side after-hours club. (Photo Courtesy: Todd Hollis) DeVincent Spriggs alleged the assault took place in the overnight hours on April 10 and April 11, but Donald’s attorney later claimed that not only did his client not assault Spriggs, but that he actually saved him from further injury. WATCH: Surveillance Video Of Incident Involving Aaron Donald Apology Issued After surveillance video of the incident was released, Spriggs’ attorney apologized to Donald on behalf of his client , saying that Spriggs mistook Donald for someone else. Related stories: DeVincent Spriggs, Man Who Accused Aaron Donald Of Assault, Offers Apology To NFL Star ‘Aaron Donald Was On Mr. Spriggs’ Side:’ Donald’s Defense Attorney Claims He Broke Up Fight NFL Star Aaron Donald Accused Of Assault No charges have been filed against anyone at this time, and Spriggs’ attorney tells KDKA they are not planning to pursue lawsuits against anyone involved. “Almost A War Zone Out There” As the news of the allegations lobbied against Aaron Donald made local and national headlines, former NFL punter and Plum native Pat McAfee discussed the South Side and its reputation on his radio show. In a video segment from October 2020 when McAfee ...
Ta’amu Reaches Plea Deal After South Side Incident
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Alameda Ta’amu could have faced 30-plus years behind bars for what he admitted to on the stand Thursday morning, but he won’t. “He plead guilty to the counts that were appropriate and was sentenced to four days incarceration to be served in an alternative program and 18 months probation,” attorney Robert Del Greco said. READ MORE: Stimulus Check Latest: Will You Be Receiving A Plus-Up Payment? In a plea agreement with prosecutors, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ lineman pleaded guilty to DUI and recklessly endangering the welfare of others. The more serious aggravated assault charges were dropped. It all stemmed from his October 2012 arrest after for driving drunk on Carson Street and then running from police. It’s an incident he told the court that he was sorry for. “Alameda accepted his responsibility, expressed contrition and dedicated himself for making restitution for all matters, as well as seeking rehab,” Del Greco said. Ta’amu did ask and get a bench trial during the proceeding on the charges that he fled from police. On the stand, he said, “he drank a lot of alcohol,” and said he ran fearing the consequences being a “Steeler and a rookie.” However, he said he didn’t know police were chasing him until they physically caught him. READ MORE: Precautionary Testing Underway At Ten Mile Creek Due To Oil Leak Judge Robert Marianni agreed and found him not guilty. “This has cost him dearly – over $165,000. He’s in the NFL’s substance abuse program. He won’t have a license to drive and he has to make the team in September,” Del Greco said. Alameda Ta’amu probation sentence includes losing his license and doing 150 hours of community service. Judge Marianni mandated some of the community service be done with Charile Batch’s youth athletic summer camps. This afternoon, Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert released a statement on the sentencing. It reads: “At the time of the incident involving Alameda Ta’amu back in ...
Steelers’ Ta’amu Appears In Court For Preliminary Hearing
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Alameda Ta’amu showed up for his preliminary hearing Thursday morning. According to police, the fourth round draft pick was arrested last month in the South Side for driving drunk, hitting several cars and nearly hitting several officers. READ MORE: Stimulus Check Latest: Will You Be Receiving A Plus-Up Payment? He’s also accused of resisting arrest. Ta’amu spoke only briefly to the media after the hearing. He said he wished he could find more words to say, but at this time, he could only say sorry. Ta’amu is accused of driving under the influence back in mid-October in the South Side, smashing into several cars and causing thousands of dollars in damage. Pittsburgh Police stated that he was driving recklessly when an off-duty police officer in his personal vehicle initially tried to pull him over. According to the criminal complaint, Ta’amu allegedly almost hit one officer who had pulled out his weapon and yelled, “Police. Stop the vehicle.” READ MORE: Precautionary Testing Underway At Ten Mile Creek Due To Oil Leak There were no major changes made to any of the charges in court today and after the preliminary hearing, Ta’amu addressed the media for the second time since his arrest. “I’m back on the roster just taking it one step at a time. My teammates supported me and just trying to keep it moving through the season,” Ta’amu said. “I’m sorry. If there was any other word, I would say it, but sorry is the only thing I can say right now.” Lawyers for both sides have said that they are trying to negotiate payment to the owners of the damaged vehicles outside of court. Ta’amu will be back in court on Dec. 31, for his formal arraignment. RELATED LINKS MORE NEWS: 'Almost A War Zone Out There'; Pittsburgh's South Side Back In The Spotlight As Center Of Controversy For Pittsburgh Athletes More Sports News More Steelers News More Reports From Heather Abraham ...
