Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert

Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert catches a pass during coverage drills. Gilbert was involved in a road rage incident Friday that ended when he crashed his car into a drainage ditch in Brunswick.

(John Kuntz, Northeast Ohio Media Group)

BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert crashed his car Friday in Brunswick following a road rage incident that wove through several communities.

Gilbert, who was uninjured in the crash, drove his Dodge Challenger into a drainage ditch on West 130th Street in Brunswick Friday afternoon while trying to get away from a man who had been trailing his car, Brunswick police Sgt. Robert Safran said.

The incident originated on Interstate 71 southbound in Middleburg Heights, Safran said. Brunswick police received a call from the Ohio State Highway Patrol saying that the two cars involved, Gilbert's Challenger and a 55-year-old Parma man's Ford Mustang, were speeding down the highway toward Brunswick.

Brunswick police received several other 911 calls from passersby, including the driver of the Mustang.

The Mustang's driver told police that Gilbert had cut him off, and the two men had exchanged words and gestures. The man decided to trail Gilbert after their altercation, Safran said.

The Mustang followed Gilbert at a high speed on the highway until they exited in Brunswick, Safran said. The men drove briefly into Hinckley Township before entering Brunswick again.

Gilbert was attempting to turn into a driveway when he crashed into the ditch, Safran said. The Mustang's driver, who was also uninjured, remained at the crash site until Brunswick police arrived.

Gilbert was cited for driving with a lack of reasonable control and given a ticket, Safran said. The Parma man was also cited for disorderly conduct.

Gilbert has had a rough start to his career in Cleveland since the Browns made him their #1 draft pick in 2014.



Gilbert has failed to live up to expectations on the field.

The Browns open their season on the road Sunday against the New York Jets.