Scott Spiezio Drives Drunk, Beats Up Friend

Scott Spiezio spent about a month on the restricted last year dealing with a substance abuse problem. As the oldest member of the Cardinals, he suggested he turned a new leaf this spring, telling reporters he wanted to be more of a team leader and "an example-setter" As he said, "I know I'm going to have to change my ways. I think I can do that, I think I need to do that."

Yeah, he wasn't kidding -- after the offseason that he had, he does need to change his ways. What Spiezio didn't tell reporters during his whole "I've turned a new leaf" routine was that several weeks earlier on December 30th he not only fell off the wagon but also into a heap of legal trouble. Word of that trouble finally surfaced today when the Orange County District Attorney's office announced that Spiezio is being charged with driving under the influence, hit-and-run and aggravated assault. From the OC's D.A.'s official press release (link via Halos Heaven):

Spiezio is accused of speeding, cutting across several lanes, crossing through the oncoming traffic lanes, driving over a curb, and crashing into a fence. The crash knocked down a fence pole and blew out the front two tires of the car. Spiezio is accused of getting out of the car and fleeing the scene on foot.

The defendant is accused of running to his Irvine condominium complex and going to a friend's condo, who lived in the same complex. While his friend attempted to clean up the defendant, Spiezio is accused of vomiting in his friend's room. When the friend made a comment about the vomit, Spiezio is accused of becoming angry and attacking his friend, punching him repeatedly and throwing him against a wall.

Ugh. And the Cardinals thought they got off on the wrong foot last year. An arrest warrant in Orange County has been issued for Spiezio, who is attending spring training with the Cards in Florida. The team was not aware of the warrant when asked about it by reporters today.