Former KU football player arrested for DUI after crashing SUV into Florida restaurant: police

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Cleveland Brown, and former KU football player, was arrested for driving under the influence after he crashed his vehicle into a restaurant in Key West on Wednesday night, causing significant damage, police said.

Shortly before 10 p.m., officers with the Key West Police Department were called to the Red Shoe Island Bistro after a black Hyundai SUV crashed into the restaurant.

When officers arrived, they found Browns' and former Jayhawk defensive lineman Lonnie Phelps Jr., of Cincinnati, leaning against a fence a few feet away.

According to an arrest report, police said the 23-year-old was "very agitated" and talking about his credit card, seemingly confused about whether he had it on him or not.

Police said Phelps kept throwing his hands in the air and started rushing them to "do what [they] have to do."

Without being instructed to do so, he also turned around, put his hands behind his back and almost fell over, police said.

Body camera video showed the SUV crashed into the side of the building with its airbags deployed. When police asked Phelps if he could recall how the crash occurred, he said it happened, and asked if he had to pay for anything.

When asked where he was driving from, Phelps told officers he was "right in front of it," according to the report. He also asked police what he crashed into.

Police said Phelps had "glassy watery blood-shot eyes, droopy eyelids, and a strong odor of alcohol was coming from his breath." He was also slurring his words, according to officers.

An officer said Phelps and his girlfriend, who was in the car with him, refused to talk to authorities. Phelps also reportedly told police he "did not want to get shot."

While performing DUI exercises, police said Phelps "continued to talk in a loud and erratic manner with his hands up," and made statements like, "I have never been here before, just do it," and "Just put the tape down so I can walk the line like a concussion test."

Phelps was taken to the Monroe County Detention Center for DUI and damaged property. According to jail records, Phelps is due for arraignment on July 2.

Red Shoe Island Bistro posted a video of the damage. The post said the restaurant was closed when the incident occurred.

"We are truly thankful that no one was hurt. And we are especially grateful that the Red Shoe was closed for vacation when this happened," John Bobon, owner of the Red Shoe Island Bistro, told WFLA. "Had we not been at the Janet Jackson concert in Chicago, the outcome would have been devastating. We’d like to thank our Key West community for all of their love and support and we look forward to re-opening the Red Shoe Island Bistro as soon as possible."

The Browns' rookie signed with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He played college football at the University of Kansas.