Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. allegedly crashed his car into WNBA player Rickea Jackson’s vehicle multiple times while chasing after her.
In a criminal complaint obtained by Marc Raimondi of ESPN, Pearce is accused of following Jackson’s vehicle in his SUV on Saturday in Miami-Dade County, Fla. At one point, Jackson’s car was stopped at a red light, and Pearce got out of his vehicle to try to open her car door.
Jackson made an attempt to drive toward the nearest police department, but Pearce intentionally rear-ended her. Later, he attempted to cut off her car, then collided with it head-on, as she approached the police station. The report stated that photos of Jackson’s vehicle taken by police showed damage consistent with her account.
When police responded to the scene, Pearce allegedly got back in his car and drove off. That sparked a police chase that ended with his capture.
Jackson, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, said she and Pearce had dated for roughly three years but recently ended the relationship. Pearce continued attempting to contact her, but she blocked his number and tried to cut off communication.
Pearce was eventually released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Sunday night after posting a $20,500 bond.
The Falcons selected Pearce 25th overall in last year’s draft. The Tennessee product finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after recording 10.5 sacks in his first NFL season.
