Former Lions cornerback Alex Brown charged in wrong-way crash

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Alex Brown is being charged with two counts of operating while under the influence causing serious injury and two counts of reckless driving causing serious injury after a crash early Sunday morning left two injured, according to prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office.

The Lions waived Alex Brown hours after the crash took place.

One of the injured parties was Brown’s former Lions teammate Charlie Taumoepeau, who continues to receive treatment for serious injuries. Taumoepeau was waived the next day with a non-football injury designation. He can be placed on the Injury Reserve list if he clears waivers.

Statement from the Detroit Lions

“We are aware of the situation from Sunday morning involving Alex Brown. Alex was waived from the team Sunday afternoon and Charlie Taumoepeau is receiving proper medical care following injuries sustained from the incident.

“Driving under the influence is a matter we take very seriously. We as an organization extend our thoughts and support to the victim and his family during his recovery.”

Details on the crash

According to the report acquired by the Detroit News, the incident occurred at 2:13 a.m. on Sunday. Brown was allegedly drunk while driving at high speeds on the wrong side of the southbound freeway. He was on Interstate 75, near I-375 in Detroit.

Brown allegedly hit another car head-on, injuring the other drivers’ legs. That driver had to be placed on a backboard by medics before he was transferred to a local hospital, the prosecutor’s office told the Detroit News.

Taumoepeau was trapped in the car and had to be freed by the Jaws of Life. He was placed in a cervical collar and was also transported to a local hospital with neck injuries, the prosecutor’s office told the Detroit News.

Brown is expected to be arraigned at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the 36th District Court.

About the players

Brown is a 24-year-old cornerback who went undrafted in 2019. He spent time on the practice squad of the 49ers, Eagles and Jets as a rookie before joining the Kansas City Chiefs. He remained with the Chiefs in 2020, appearing in three regular season games. Brown played with the special teams unit throughout the playoffs and was on the field for several players during last season’s Super Bowl loss.

Taumoepeau went undrafted in 2020 after his college career at Portland State. The 23-year-old tight end played on the practice squad of the Cowboys, Colts and 49ers last season.