Skid marks show sandy trail of Junior Seau's plunge over cliff



Skids marks on the sand show where Junior Seau's SUV went over a cliff Monday as police tried to determine what caused the accident hours after the former San Diego Chargers linebacker was arrested for alleged domestic violence.

Seau, 41, who retired this year from the New England Patriots, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Scripps La Jolla Hospital, according to the Carlsbad Police Department.

Police received an emergency call about 8:42 a.m. Monday about a vehicle veering off the road at Carlsbad Boulevard at Solamar Avenue.

"Preliminary investigation shows the vehicle left the roadway and travelled over the cliff, landing on the beach below," Carlsbad police officials said in a prepared statement. "The vehicle was only occupied by the driver, a male who was identified as Junior Seau ... Investigation is continuing into how and why the accident occurred."

Authorities would not comment on whether the collision was related to Seau's arrest hours earlier or whether it was caused by something else. He had been arrested at 12:20 a.m. in Oceanside on suspicion of an alleged assault on his live-in girlfriend.
In a statement, Oceanside police said the 25-year-old victim in the case sustained minor injuries during a verbal argument. The victim, who was not named, did not require medical treatment. Seau was not at the residence when police arrived there.

According to Carlsbad police, "Seau called the victim while police were on scene and spoke to the officers; he agreed to return to the home. Shortly after midnight Seau drove back to the scene and he was arrested without incident as he approached the residence."

Seau was booked into the Vista Detention Facility and was released after posting bail.

A college All-American at USC and a 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker, Seau played 13 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and three seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

Seau went into a brief retirement before rejoining the New England Patriots and announced his retirement at the end of last season.

-- Andrew Blankstein