Darius Ashley gets second DUI

by Mike Rutherford on Jun 20, 2011 8:08 PM EDT in Football

Louisville cornerback Darius Ashley picked up his second DUI in seven months after he rear-ended a police officer's car at Second and West Chestnut streets early Saturday morning.

His blood-alcohol level was 0.186 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Ashley was also arrested in December after police said he was found drunk and passed out in a restaurant drive-through.

One DUI can sometimes be understandable, but two generally means there is a real problem. I knew there might be a serious issue here when I heard multiple stories about him being highly intoxicated at a bar the weekend after his first DUI. He was suspended at that point in time, and ultimately stayed home while the team traveled to St. Petersburg for the Beef O'Brady's Bowl.

Ashley, a former running back, intercepted two passes and recorded three sacks as a sophomore and figured to have a solid chance of stepping into the No. 1 corner shoes left by Johnny Patrick. Now, I'll be extremely surprised if he hasn't worn a Cardinal uniform for the last time.

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He got his second chance, and he failed.

As much potential as he has, I think he should be let go.

by CardinalDude on Jun 20, 2011 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

Get him some help

Dont get rid of him, something like that could damage the rest of his life. Red-shirt him, make him go to re-hab. Obviously the guy needs help, what would it be saying if they just put him out on his ass?

by ville 606 on Jun 20, 2011 8:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

One DUI can be understandable

Two generally means there’s a real problem.

by Mike Rutherford on Jun 20, 2011 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

red-shirt or not, on the field or off

he needs help now more than ever, clearly dismissal is not helping him at all

by YimYames on Jun 20, 2011 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

getting him help doesn't necessarily help either...

I had a soldier that was a good soldier. Strong, fit, could do the job and then some – much better than many of his peers. One day it was discovered he was drunk on duty – and he was under age. It was brought to my attention and we sent him to a rehab facility. He passed, but came back and was discovered drunk on duty again. After plenty of digging, it was determined that this guy could drink a fish under the table and had been doing it since he was like 14. I knew I had to get him out of the military before he killed himself or someone else on my watch. He ended up getting into a car wreck before I was able to do that and totaled his car. Luckily, he didn’t hurt anyone other than himself – not too awful bad, but bad enough to where he looked like he had the crap beat out of him and I think he had a broken wrist or something. He left the scene and said he drank to kill the pain and that he wasn’t drunk when the accident happened. BS. I ended up finally getting him out of the military where he was shortly arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct in his hometown.
Throughout all of this, his chain of command and I had called his parents and informed them of his problem – they knew of it and had sent him to rehab several times themselves. His chain of command and I spoke with him and told him that he was killing himself and that he’d be dead by 25 if he didn’t get the help he needed. We talked to him about his accident and how it reenforced everything we had been telling him since we found out about his problem. We did everything we could think of, but the bottom line is if the kid doesn’t TRUELY WANT the help – and even if he does – no amount of intervention, rehab, or whatever is necessarily going to help. Hopefully Ashley isn’t in that same boat, but it sounds like he might be.

by 4ul4life on Jun 21, 2011 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I have friends that have multiple DUI’s, and its something that just doesn’t go away. The kid is in college, obviously he’s hangin with the party crowd and he doesn’t know how to stay out from behind the wheel. Theres way’s to deal with this, he has done it to himself. He’s not going to have a license for at least, at least 6 months now, if not a year. My thing is, I have seen what DUI’s do to regular people with regular jobs, this guy has a chance to be really good, make him work even harder, and get everybodys respect back.

by ville 606 on Jun 20, 2011 8:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm with Yim Yames

If the football program puts him on the field with no consequences, I’d be unhappy. But if it puts him out on his ass, i’d be ashamed.

by NotSoGreen on Jun 21, 2011 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with this

To earn his way back, he needs to red shirt this year (including no practice or viewing games in-person), go for intensive rehab, additional community service on top of what he may or may not get, and if he gets jail time, serve it. He would also have to go to schools and speak about the idiocy of driving while intoxicated.

I’m wondering if the position change may have affected negatively. He definitely needs a knot jerked in his ass. I volunteer to be his sober coach because I hardly ever drink alcohol.

by CardRon on Jun 21, 2011 2:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He may need an assisted entourage/environment change

AKA transfer

by UL is my hot hot sex on Jun 21, 2011 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Rehab

I like the idea of redshirting him and getting him some help. He does not need to play this year though.

by Cardfan63 on Jun 20, 2011 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

shots shots shots shots

But seriously, it’s a problem when you have an entire team relying upon you to step up and take the reigns and yet you still put yourself in situations like these. Hopefully Darius will get some help and develop some maturity. HCCS won’t let this slide.

DocCardsFan
Groton, CT

by DocCardsFan on Jun 20, 2011 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

Everyones entitled to one mistake...

but this is ridiculous. Two in a year? The kid went to Cincinnati St. Xavier… it’s not like he comes from a troubled family/background. Sure he needs help and he should absolutely, but if I got two DUI’s, I’d probably lose my job…. So I don’t really care, I say kick him off the team.

by AllHailUofL on Jun 20, 2011 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

absolutely get some*

by AllHailUofL on Jun 20, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I just read the opening sentence and couldn't help but laughing

But seriously, Darius needs to get some help as he’s on his way to throwing his college education away.

by Chris Bains on Jun 20, 2011 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

see ya later Darius

no room for that with this program anymore.

by Cambroni Cardinals on Jun 20, 2011 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

Bummed for this kid...

would like to see him stay…but that’s in Strong’s hands.

by fielddog on Jun 20, 2011 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

Alcohol is an evil drug, destructive drug

He’s very lucky he didn’t hurt anyone.
That same risk is what will force everyone involved to prosecute this with rigor.

by 97E3LPL on Jun 20, 2011 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

Kid made a bad decision

But there is no inherent evil in alcohol. Millions of people drink responsibly. Let’s not lay this off on the industry. Darius fucked up. Its on him.

by James Sutherland on Jun 21, 2011 12:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Correct, but alcoholism is a very serious disease

that most people cannot fathom – see my comment above. I couldn’t fathom how we were not getting through to that kid. My father was alcoholic – until he was slapped in the face with divorce. Sometimes it takes losing the woman and kids you love to snap you out of it… wish I could have figured something out for that kid above. Hope someone can find out what will do it for DA!

by 4ul4life on Jun 21, 2011 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Guess he should have stuck with just pot.

by guyngreen on Jun 21, 2011 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'll check back on this thread in 350 comments

by Mike Rutherford on Jun 21, 2011 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Can you just go ahead and delete it now?

ALL HAIL

by Cardinal_Pride on Jun 21, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

This was probably said in jest, but if you doubt it,

you should read Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People To Drink?

"...and the present, for us, is something that we really look forward to."
- Rick Pitino

by rickmbari on Jun 21, 2011 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I specifically commented with you in mind, Rick. :)

I just wanted to see a 100+ comment post that doesn’t involve UCF.

by guyngreen on Jun 21, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

haha

"...and the present, for us, is something that we really look forward to."
- Rick Pitino

by rickmbari on Jun 21, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

My guess is we don't kick him off the team

Strong helps him to find a small program where he can get his life straight

by gunner921 on Jun 20, 2011 11:19 PM EDT reply actions

I hope Charles Gaines is ready to step up

because its almost certain Darius will not be suiting up in a cardinal uniform this season. Very sad news due to the fact he showed real promise at the cornerback position and was getting better each game.

by TRUCARDFAN on Jun 20, 2011 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

This is one of the first critical executive moments for Charlie.

Ashley was going to be a major contributor in the secondary. If Charlie doesn’t dismiss him, then he’s not walking the walk that he’s been talking since he got here.
If you’re truly serious about holding guys accountable for their actions on and off the field,…..then there’s no room for a guy who get’s his second DUI 7 months after his first.
Sorry D.A., I hope you get it together

by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Jun 20, 2011 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

exactly

Let’s see what kind of tone is set. Then we’ll know.

Go Cards!

by Red Rage on Jun 20, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope for suspension and rehab, not dismissal.

If Charlie’s the guy I think he is, he’ll temper justice with mercy. This kid has a serious problem, and dumping him won’t even begin to solve it.

by Loouhvul on Jun 20, 2011 11:36 PM EDT reply actions

Best-case-scenario for Darius is they hold him out this season with the opportunity to return

I will be completely stunned if Strong allows him to play this season in any capacity. But I agree, abandoning the kid doesn’t feel right.

by Mike Rutherford on Jun 20, 2011 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Charlie is a man of character !!!!

and to drop this kid when he is in a time of need is a mistake. Keep him, help him and turn his life around. I think HCCS is a man who can help change the college game. It would be a major statement if he took the extra effort to help this man when he needs it the most. Louisville is a program on the brink and to go the extra mile with this young man would mean he is a real man, focused on excellence not just winning..

by Cards4th on Jun 21, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I say let the kid stay in college but get him help

Football should not be an option for him anytime in the near future.

by Chris Redman is my hero on Jun 21, 2011 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with that. He's got a serious problem but it isn't that he drinks too much. You can find millions of college kids his age that drink too much.

When I was 21 and in the Military I drank 6-7 days a week.
That’s too much.
His problem is,….. that when he drinks, he thinks he’s that “special kind of drunk” where you’re a better driver because you know you’re drunk. You know,… the kinda drunk that you probably shouldn’t drive but you do anyway, because… come on, you gotta get a car home, right(?) I mean what do they expect him to do? Take a bus? Is that what they want? For him to take a bus? Well screw that! You take a bus!
- Peter Griffin
________________
Not trying to make light of drunk driving at all; I had a family member killed by a drunk driver when I was in high school. I’m just pointing out that someone who thinks it’s OK, especially when you’ve already been busted once, has some issues that go beyond drinking. Thinking it’s OK to get behind the wheel when you’re that smashed goes beyond stupid and into some serious issues with how you perceive yourself, your future, and the world around you. D.A. needs help, and if HCCS& TJ want to try and give it to him then OK; but, my immediate reaction is that he has already been given a second chance, and if he wants a third it’s not going to come here.

by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Jun 21, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I still have their number saved in my phone from college

http://cityscoot.com/

Peter Griffin’s problem is solved.

by guyngreen on Jun 21, 2011 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

56-NODUI, I use them every time I venture out away from Baxter Avenue, which is walking distance from Kentucky Street.

on a side note, it never gets old seeing that guy fold up the scooter and put it in that little bag when you’re hammered.

by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Jun 21, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Rehab is mandatory in Ky after the 2nd DUI conviction

2nd Kentucky DUI Offense
Second Drunk Driving Conviction

    Jail – From 7 Days up to 6 Months
    Jail – Aggravated DUI – 14 Days (over .18 blood alcohol, or accident involving injury)
    Fine – From $350 to $500
    License Suspension – From 12 to 18 Months
    Alcohol or Drug Treatment Program – 1 Year
    Community Labor – 10 Days to 6 Months

by E-townCardFan on Jun 21, 2011 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I can see it going either way

My first reaction was ‘Well, Strong will cut this guy loose now.’ Then I thought about it and I can honestly see it going either way. I do think he’s out for 2011 no matter what, but I’m not so sure Strong will dismiss him forever. I think a lot will ride on his attitude about it. If the kid comes hat in hand and admits he has a problem and needs help, then I think Strong keeps him around conditionally. If he is anything less than contrite and humble, he’s a goner.

by CardsRuleBE on Jun 20, 2011 11:50 PM EDT reply actions

If you follow other colleges, this happens a lot.

Most of the time a second offense of this magnitude is the nail in the coffin. I’ve seen guys get kicked off of teams and it shakes them up enough to get their life straight. There’s also been those who you never hear about again.

Athletic scholarships are just like academic scholarships and I’m sure if a person on an academic scholarship got their 2nd DUI when they rear ended a cop, they’d lose their scholarship.

Kicking him off the team my not necessarily be “help” but it can be the wake up call he needs. Kick him off the team but help him find a new school and team to play for, most likely at a lower level, and help him find the care he needs.

by geoffissiffoeg on Jun 21, 2011 2:04 AM EDT reply actions