Troubled star Dennis Rodman is charged with hit-and-run after wrong-way crash on the freeway four months ago
- Rodman, 55, is accused of causing a collision on the freeway in Santa Ana
- After causing another car to crash, he also allegedly fled from the scene
- If convicted of the charges, he could face up to two years in county jail
- But ex-NBA star denies the charges and says road was 'poorly signposted'
Troubled former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who has been charged with hit-and-run and property damage after driving the wrong way down on a freeway and causing a car crash
Troubled former NBA star Dennis Rodman has been charged with hit-and-run and property damage after driving the wrong way down on a freeway and causing a car crash.
The 55-year-old is accused of misdemeanor counts of hit and run with property damage, driving a motor vehicle across a divide, giving false information to a police officer and driving without a valid license.
If convicted on all charges, the five-time NBA champion faces a maximum of two years in county jail. He is due to be arraigned early next year.
The charges stem back to an incident in the early hours of July 20, on Interstate Five in Santa Ana, California.
The driver of a black BMW was reportedly traveling south in the carpool lane and crashed into the center divider after swerving to avoid a head-on collision with a white luxury SUV, that was allegedly being driven by Rodman.
The BMW driver told troopers that after a brief conversation, the controversial former sportsman left without exchanging information, got back into his SUV and headed southbound before police arrived.
However, Rodman's attorney, Paul Meyer, says the incident occurred on a poorly signed exit ramp. He added that his client corrected the driving error without the cars touching, stopped and spoke to people in the other car.
The star was apparently in the area hours before the alleged hit-and-run, with the Dailymail.com previously uncovering footage of Rodman doing karaoke at a Santa Ana bar.
In the footage, Rodman - who was once known as the bad boy of the NBA - is seen at gay bar The Velvet Lounge during their weekly 'The Gayest Karaoke Ever!' event.
Hours before the crash, footage was captured of Rodman at the Velvet Lounge gay bar in Santa Ana
It is not the first time that Rodman has been accused of road traffic offences.
He has been arrested twice for driving under the influence in both 1999 and 2003.
Rodman pleaded guilty in response to the 1999 incident, which saw him also charged for driving without a licence.
He was ordered to pay $2,000 in fines and had to attend a three-month treatment program.
The star pleaded no contest in the second case - which saw him arrested after he crashed a motorcycle outside a Las Vegas, Nevada, strip club - and he was sentenced to 30 days home detention.
Rodman became best known for his outrageous behavior and appearance - tattoos, body piercings and dyed hair among his trademarks - during an NBA career that lasted from 1986 to 2000.
He won titles with Detroit in 1989 and 1990 and alongside Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls from 1996-1998.
Rodman became best known for his outrageous behavior and appearance during his 14-year NBA career
Rodman has also made three notable visits to North Korea within 12 months in 2013 and early 2014, meeting leader Kim Jong-un
Rodman was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011 and finished his NBA career with 6,683 points, 11,954 rebounds and 1,600 assists.
After his NBA career, Rodman played in Mexico, Britain, Finland and the Philippines.
He has promoted gambling websites, vodka and backed US President-elect Donald Trump's bid for the White House, having appeared with him on the television show Celebrity Apprentice.
Rodman also made three notable visits to North Korea in 2013 and early 2014, meeting leader Kim Jong Un and bringing a team of ex-NBA players for exhibition games against North Korea's national team, one on Kim's birthday.
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