Junior Seau Drives SUV Off Cliff, Hospitalized After Arrest for Domestic Violence

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Junior Seau, the former NFL star linebacker, drove off a cliff in Southern California roughly five hours after he was arrested on domestic abuse charges early Monday morning, and was hospitalized with undisclosed injuries, according to police.

PICTURES: Junior Seau Car Crash, Arrest

Carlsbad police say the 12-time Pro Bowler's Cadillac SUV plunged off an oceanside cliff in Carlsbad, Calif., about 30 miles north of San Diego, and was found on the beach 30 feet down the cliff.

San Diego sheriff's Lt. Phil Brust says Seau was released from jail around 3:30 a.m., about five hours before the crash. According to gossip website TMZ, Seau was arrested around 2 a.m. on charges of domestic violence, although Carlsbad police would not confirm details of the arrest.

Police Lt. Paul Mendez says Seau was conscious and the extent of his injuries remains unclear. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

Richard Doan, who answered the phone of a woman who works for Seau's foundation, says Seau is shaken up but appears to have escaped serious injury.

Seau played for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots before retiring after last season.