Former Mississippi State University quarterback Dak Prescott’s driving under the influence case was continued Tuesday to mid-June, his attorney and Starkville Municipal Court Administrator Tony Rook confirmed.
Prescott was due in court Wednesday but was absent from the proceedings.
His attorney, Jay Perry, was granted a continuance until 2 p.m. June 16.
A Starkville Police Department incident report states Prescott, 22, was pulled over on University Drive, near the road’s intersection with Fellowship and Hartness streets, in March.
He was charged with speeding and DUI first offense. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Two Intoxilyzer 8000 tests performed at the police station failed to measure his breath alcohol level, according to documents obtained by The Dispatch.
SPD’s testing began approximately 45 minutes after he was pulled over about 12:30 a.m. on March 12. The first test was administered at 1:13 a.m., and a follow-up procedure was initiated at 1:47 a.m., court records state.
The first test resulted in an invalid sample, and the second test produced an “insufficient sample,” according to documents.
An officer’s statement located in a form sent to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety noted a chemical breath test refusal. Also, the uniform traffic ticket issued to Prescott shows the officer noted Prescott was allegedly “under the influence of intoxicating liquor” and wrote what appears to be an abbreviation for “refusal” where alcohol testing results would normally be written.
It is unknown if the Intoxilyzer 8000 did not perform correctly, if Prescott did not fully comply with police officers’ instructions or if he definitively refused further testing.
Refusing to take a breath test results in a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
Prescott posted bond and was released shortly after his arrest.
Following the incident, Prescott released a statement in which he took “complete responsibility for (his) actions.”
“I’m very remorseful for my misjudgment. I want to apologize to my true supporters, my family, Mississippi State University, the NFL and the kids who look up to me,” his statement read. “I won’t ask for forgiveness; however, I’ll show the true man I am and exhibit my character through my actions and behavior moving forward.”
Prescott broke 38 school records while at MSU and passed for 9,376 yards and 70 touchdowns. He rushed for 2,521 yards and 41 touchdowns.
He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in April’s National Football League draft.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.