Georgia defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter was asleep at the wheel behind a running stationary vehicle at a traffic light Sunday morning when police responded to a call that the car was blocking traffic, according to a police incident report obtained by OnlineAthens.com/Athens Banner-Herald.

Ledbetter, 18, was arrested for DUI alcohol and underage possession of alcohol, the second time he has been arrested for an alcohol-related charge since March 20. Charges from the first arrest were later dropped.

Georgia said Monday that Ledbetter's recent arrest "will result in discipline; however, it will also result in an intensified education, counseling, and medical assistance program.

"Certainly we are disappointed and recognize he has a serious problem," coach Kirby Smart said in a statement. "We have provided help for him previously and we are committed to providing whatever assistance is necessary for Jonathan that will contribute to immediate improvement but also ensure that his long-term well-being is secure."

A DUI under Georgia's athletic policy brings a two-game suspension for football. Smart had announced a one-game suspension for Ledbetter after his first arrest, but did not say if that would remain after those charges for underage possession of alcohol and using a fake ID at an Athens bar were dropped.

Ledbetter said in a statement Monday: "First I want to apologize to my family, my teammates and coaches, the University and the Bulldog Nation. I have a problem and have received an incredible amount of support and treatment through the Athletic Department for the problem. For that I am thankful. I ask for everyone's support as I continue to receive additional treatment for this disease and work toward a healthy life."



Athens-Clarke County police responded to the scene Sunday at Barnett Shoals and Lexington roads around 5:30 a.m in the latest incident. Police parked a car in front of Ledbetter's "so that the white (Dodge Avenger) vehicle wouldn't roll into oncoming traffic." Police said Ledbetter appeared to be asleep but was "breathing and drooling."

The vehicle was in drive and his foot slightly on the brake pedal. Ledbetter did not wake up after numerous knocks on the window, yelling out for him to wake up and shaking the car, according to the report.

Four officers total and EMS arrived on scene and attempted to wake Ledbetter up, even turning on a siren.

After 20 minutes of being unable to get Ledbetter to respond, police eventually were able to open the door with a "lock jock." Police after several more attempts woke up Ledbetter, who said he had not been sleeping.

Police smelled the odor of alcohol. Ledbetter, a sophomore from Stone Mountain, said he had been drinking.

"Yes sir, I'm home," he said. Police told Ledbetter he wasn't home. He told them he had been drinking downtown around 12-12:30 a.m. He said he had two Bud Light Platinum's.

Police conducted a field sobriety test on Ledbetter and then asked him if he would be willing to take a breath test. He asked if he had passed the other.

"I explained to Mr. Ledbetter that I was asking him if he would submit to a breath test and that I needed a yes or no," the report said. "He proceeded to explain that he knows what's going on in the world now with cops shooting black people and he also said that he wanted to know if he passed the test or not so that he could take his boys home. There was no one in the car except for Mr. Ledbetter when I arrived on the scene. He also says he feels like this is a hate crime."

Ledbetter told police he would submit to a breath test, but said he "plays football for UGA and that he does not need to get into any more trouble because he is going to get kicked off of the team and that he needs to provide for his mother and family."

He then declined to take a breath test because "I know I've been drinking alcohol." An officer instructed him to put his hands behind his back and Ledbetter decided to take the breath test.

He registered a .131 and .138. Blood alcohol level of 0.02 grams is standard for DUI in an offender who is under 21.