UCLA football kicker Justin Medlock has been reinstated into the
program, coach Karl Dorrell announced Monday, after being sentenced
to three years’ probation after pleading guilty to a
misdemeanor drunken driving charge.
Medlock was suspended indefinitely Dec. 11, 2006 in conjunction
with his arrest the morning of Dec. 10 for allegedly driving under
the influence and a hit-and-run.
The redshirt senior did not participate with the Bruins during
the Sun Bowl or spring practice.
Medlock, originally booked on felony charges, pleaded guilty
Monday to one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of
alcohol resulting in injury.
His sentence includes a $1,220 fine and five days of service for
the California Department of Transportation, said Jane Robison,
spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office. His
driver’s license will be restricted for a year.
“Justin is a good young man who made a very serious
mistake,” Dorrell said. “Now that the legal proceedings
have been finalized, I feel that missing the Sun Bowl and being
suspended for four months is sufficient punishment.”
Medlock and UCLA women’s golfer Hannah Jun were in his
1998 Toyota Tacoma when it veered off the 405 Freeway, struck a
call box on the Manchester off-ramp near the Los Angeles
International Airport, flipped over and came to rest on its roof
around 2:52 a.m.
Witnesses told California Highway Patrol officers that Medlock
walked away from the accident before officers arrived on the
scene.
Medlock’s charges were dropped to a misdemeanor because
police determined during the investigation that Medlock was trying
to get help when he was found at the intersection of Florence and
Inglewood avenues, 1.5 miles from the incident.
“It’s an unfortunate incident. He admits he made a
mistake,” said Milton Grimes, Medlock’s attorney.
Jun, who was originally treated for spinal and vertebrae
injuries, recently had her neck brace removed. She has not competed
in an event this season.
Medlock, meanwhile, continued to take classes during his
suspension and is eligible to compete with the Bruins when fall
camp begins in August.
This past season Medlock finished 13-of-17 of his field goal
attempts and moved up to No. 5 on UCLA’s all-time made field
goals list.
With reports from Seth Fast Glass, Bruin Sports senior staff