David Diehl might be a bit late for Tom Coughlin’s first meeting of training camp.
Diehl was formally charged in Queens on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol on Monday. Diehl was arrested Sunday night after crashing his BMW into parked cars. Police officers felt Diehl had “a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and to be unsteady on his feet.” Diehl blew a .182 on a breathalyzer test, more than double the legal limit, and was arrested.
“The defendant is accused of getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol and crashing his vehicle. Luckily, no one was injured,” Queens district attorney Richard A. Brown said in a press release. “Drinking and driving is never a good idea – and can often have serious consequences.”
Diehl was released on his own recognizance after the arraignment. The next court date in the case is July 26th, which happens to be the day that the Giants will be starting training camp in Albany. The legal process may work itself out so that Diehl’s court date moves or disappears thanks to a plea, but, for now, the defending champions will have to kick off camp without Diehl.
That’s not a huge problem for a player who has spent as much time in the offense as Diehl, but it does turn one’s attention toward the possibility that Diehl will miss further time this season. A suspension is a possibility, although it’s the first offense for Diehl. Former Giants tackle Kareem McKenzie avoided a suspension after a DUI arrest in 2008.