By
Irene Hsiao
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA basketball player charged with reckless driving, one-way street violation dropped
UA basketball forward Justin Wessel is expected to release a statement today or tomorrow concerning his arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in August.
University of Arizona Police Department officers charged Wessel on Aug. 31 with DUI and driving the wrong way on East Broadway Boulevard, a one-way street near South Fourth Avenue. Wessel's "eyes were red and appeared to be tired" when he stepped out of his car, reports stated.
His one-way road violation charge was dropped and he plead guilty to reckless driving during his Sept. 22 court date, states the Pima County court docket.
The redness of his eyes could be the result of a cornea transplant he had a few years ago, said Richard Paige, associate media relations director for the UA athletic department.
When the Arizona Daily Wildcat spoke to Wessel yesterday, he declined comment until his statement is released.
"I can't say anything until then," he said.
Any charge that could result from his arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence may be thrown out because his eyes were red from the transplant and his alcohol level was under the legal limit of 0.10.
"It seems the transplant and surgeries have caused some redness in his eyes," Paige said.
His alcohol level was at 0.075 at 2:32 a.m. and rose to 0.084 seven minutes later, reports stated.
Paige could not discuss the case any further, except confirming the redness in Wessel's eyes.
"I'm not at liberty to comment on any ongoing legal situation on campus," he said.
Ed Orr, the assistant athletic trainer for the department said he couldn't discuss Wessel's case except that Wessel doesn't have cataracts.
Wessel, a communication senior, pulled out of Dirtbag's, 1800 E.Speedway Blvd. early Thursday morning on Aug. 31 and was on his way to a party on North Euclid Avenue and East Ninth Street with three friends when he was arrested.
Michael Bloom, a Tucson attorney in criminal defense who deals with DUI cases and is not involved with the Wessel case said having an under the alcohol limit level, and the operation on his eyes could be used as valid defense in court.
"I would be very surprised if they didn't dismiss it," he said. "That's what they would do with most cases of this type."
