HUGHES APOLOGIZES
Rider faces impaired-related charges
REGINA A contrite Charleston Hughes met with the media on Wednesday to discuss details of his criminal driving charges.
“At this point, the only statement I really have is to apologize to my teammates, my fans and the staff of the organization,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive end said after Wednesday ’s closed practice at Mosaic Stadium.
“It’s kind of embarrassing to go through a situation like this. We’re supposed to be focusing on football right now and, when something like this comes up, you really feel like it takes away from what we’re supposed to be focusing on. I’m just trying to handle everything the best way i can and take all the legal advice that I’m given and really just try to focus on the next move.”
Hughes was charged with impaired driving and refusing to provide a breath sample for analysis after an alleged incident in Regina on Oct. 11 at 2 a.m., two days before the Riders were beaten 31-0 by the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Hughes did play in that game.
Hughes, 34, was released from custody after the incident and was given notice to appear in Regina Provincial Court on Oct. 31.
He will remain on the Riders roster and is expected to play in the final two regular-season games, including Saturday ’s game in Calgary against the Stampeders.
“Charleston is human and he made a huge mistake,” said Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager. “We certainly don’t condone it and we take the offence very seriously. It’s one of those things where it’s tough to gauge as an individual. We’re certainly not going to throw out one of our own, but at the same time he has to understand that it’s a very serious offence.”
The CFL didn’t respond when asked for its position on the charges. Jones said that the league doesn’t have a policy that applies to the situations like the one with Hughes.
“This is an individual and we’ll handle it as an individual event like we do with all of our football team,” Jones said.
“It’s an unfortunate event that we are taking seriously.”
Hughes, who leads the CFL with 15 sacks, said that his teammates and players from across the league have been as supportive as they can.
“They know that I’m not so happy right now and that I’m in an embarrassing spot,’’ Hughes said. “I’m really trying to focus on this next game coming up and keep my mind in the right place.”
Michelle Okere, the regional manager for Mothers Against Drunk Driving Regina, was disappointed when she heard about the charges filed against Hughes.
“We’re thankful that no one was hurt,” Okere said. “We hope that this is learning opportunity and recognize that this is something that is going togo forward. I believethat there is a court date set and we’ll see how that moves forward.
“For us, the biggest message is you choose to plan ahead or you choose to get behind the wheel impaired. We hope that people do choose to plan ahead and have a safe ride home.”
Hughes declined to reveal details of the matter.
According to the Regina Police Service (RPS), officers were dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Ring Road and the Albert Street north overpass.
A running truck was found at the side of the road with a man who wasn’t responding.
The man, later identified as Hughes, was roused and taken out of the vehicle, say police.
The officers had suspicions of alcohol intoxication, and Hughes was transported to RPS headquarters where he was charged with impaired driving and failure to provide a breath sample for analysis.
An impairment charge can be laid, even when police can’t prove by a breathalyzer or blood test that a driver’s blood-alcohol level exceeds the criminal legal limit of .08.
Minimum court fines for impaired drivers start at $1,500, including a $500 penalty under the safe driver recognition program.
According to the SGI Canada, someone accused of a Criminal Code impaired driving offence, with no previous record for drunk driving, can still face an immediate roadside suspension that remains intact until the charges are resolved in court.
The driver’s vehicle can also be impounded for 30 days.