CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Browns player was arrested Wednesday night and accused of crashing his SUV into a Florida restaurant and then refusing to cooperate with authorities, according to a police report.
Lonnie Phelps, a defensive end, was charged with driving under the influence and property damage after the crash at the Red Shoe Island Bistro, a high-end restaurant in Key West. He refused a breath test, police reports show.
no one was hurt.
Building owner Joseph Schroeder estimated the damage at $300,000. He told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer that an outdoor lounge was closed Wednesday night. He said if it had been open, several people could have been seriously injured or killed. He said the front of the SUV struck the restaurant after the vehicle went onto the sidewalk and collided with a palm tree.
A Browns spokesman said the team was aware of the incident and was gathering more information. He said the team had no comment. Phelps participated on the practice squad last season but never played in a game.
Phelps, 23, drove his 2024 Hyundai SUV to the restaurant shortly before 8 p.m. He and a female passenger appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs after the crash, the police report said.
The police report states that Phelps got into a fight with police officers while being interviewed. He turned away from officers during the interview and said he was afraid he would be shot.
“I asked Phelps where he was driving (before the crash), and he said, 'Right in front.' I asked this question four different times, and Phelps always said, 'Right in front.'”
Phelps also asked an officer who he had collided with.
According to the police report, officers wanted to give Phelps a breath test to determine his alcohol level. But he refused.
Phelps played at the University of Kansas and signed an undrafted, free agent contract with the Browns. He signed a one-year contract worth $795,000 for this year.