49ers' Culliver arrested on hit-run, brass-knuckle charges

Niners cornerback Chris Culliver was jailed Friday in San Jose after he slammed into a bicyclist while driving on a suspended license and tried to flee, according to San Jose police.

His arrest marked the latest off-the-field trouble for the 49ers and for Culliver, who may be best known for anti-gay comments he made on a radio show before the 2013 Super Bowl.

Culliver, 25, who sat out all of last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee, was driving recklessly in his white Ford Mustang when he struck a bicyclist shortly after 10 a.m. Friday at Tully Road and South 7th Street in south San Jose, police officials said.

As Culliver left the scene, another motorist who witnessed the accident followed Culliver and cornered him on a nearby street, police said.

Citing police accounts, KTVU reported that Culliver got out of his car and threatened the witness with brass knuckles, then tried to flee again but ran into the witness' car.

Officers arrived and arrested Culliver without incident. He was booked into Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of several crimes, including felony and misdemeanor hit and run - the felony presumably for the bike crash.

He was also arrested on suspicion of felony reckless driving, felony possession of brass knuckles and misdemeanor driving on a suspended license.

The 49ers' Chris Culliver talks with reporters during a press conference on Thursday Jan. 31, 2013, in New Orleans, La. The 49ers' Chris Culliver talks with reporters during a press conference on Thursday Jan. 31, 2013, in New Orleans, La. Photo: Scott Halleran, Getty Images Photo: Scott Halleran, Getty Images Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 49ers' Culliver arrested on hit-run, brass-knuckle charges 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

The bicyclist suffered minor injuries, police said.

Culliver was released after posting bail Friday afternoon.

The 49ers drafted Culliver out of South Carolina University in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft.

During a media day radio interview with a comedian before Super Bowl XLVII, Culliver said that a gay player wouldn't be welcome on the 49ers. He apologized later.

In a statement, 49ers officials said they were aware of Friday's arrest.

"We will remain in contact with Chris and the local authorities as we continue to gather the facts regarding this situation," the statement said. "As this is an ongoing legal matter, we will reserve further comment at this time."

Culliver's arrest is the latest in a series of off-field law enforcement run-ins by members of the team.

Niners linebacker Aldon Smith missed five games last season and entered rehab after a Sept. 20 incident in which he was arrested for driving under the influence. The DUI arrest was Smith's second since January 2012 and the team was widely criticized for allowing Smith to play two days after the arrest.

In another case, Smith was charged with illegally possessing assault weapons he allegedly bought over the counter in Arizona.

Last August, linebacker Ahmad Brooks was arrested after allegedly hitting then-teammate Lamar Divens three times in the head with a beer bottle and punching him in the face. The Santa Clara district attorney's office decided not to file charges when it was determined that a history existed between Brooks and Divens, and that Brooks might have been acting in self defense.