Kings Assistant Coach Arrested For DUI
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A Sacramento Kings assistant coach, Mario Elie, has been arrested on DUI charges.
The 47-year-old Houston native and former NBA player was arrested at on Capitol Mall and 15th Street at 1:15 a.m. Thursday after a CHP officer pulled him over in his Mercedes-Benz for having a non-functioning tail light, according to CHP.
During the stop, the officer says he detected the smell of alcohol on Elie's breath, and after a series of field sobriety tests, arrested Elie for driving under the influence.
"I'm very sorry, embarrassed and disappointed for the position in which I put myself and team. Rest assured, it won't happen again as I take full responsibility for my actions," Elie said in a statement released by the Kings.
Elie was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail and later released.
Six people from the Kings organization have been arrested for DUI in the past for years, a fact acknowledged by the president of the Kings.
"We are very concerned and disappointed in regard to Mario's arrest for DUI. This is an ugly form of history repeating itself. We expect better, knowing at the same time there are limits to how far you can go to protect people from themselves. In spite of all of this, we still respect Mario's right to due process," said Kings' President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.
Elie played for 11 years in the NBA and is a 3-time league champion. He played on the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns.
