According to the latest news coming out of Columbia, Missouri, from a sports beat writer, the authorities have apprehended a linebacker on two separate charges. 

"Mizzou freshman linebacker JJ Bush has been suspended indefinitely, the team tells me, after he was arrested Monday night on a Class D felony charge of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle," read writer Calum McAndrew's X post.

According to The Columbia Tribune, he was observed traveling at “approximately 80 mph” at about 10 p.m. Monday, where the posted speed is 40 mph. The linebacker also had a passenger with him inside his car. 

The report further states that the prosecuting attorney of Boone County is charging Bush with traveling 90 mph, creating a “substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to another person. 

The linebacker was driving a 2024 Ford Mustang, and an officer turned on his lights and followed Bush for “approximately 24 seconds” before Bush came to a stop. After coming to a stop abruptly, Bush told the officer he was traveling between 80 and 90 mph. 

Bush did not see the officer following until the emergency lights were activated. Bush continued to speed even after seeing the lights, and finally, when he did stop, the linebacker told the officer, “That’s just how my car is.” 

“I f***** u*. Driving crazy,” he later added as per the probable cause statement. 

JJ Bush flipped his commitment from Arkansas to play for Mizzou. He also had various other offers from programs such as Georgia Tech and Baylor.

This incident could directly impact his future as a football player, with the latest reports emerging about what the team's head coach has said about the four-star freshman.

What Did Missouri’s Head Coach Say About the Situation?

Eliah “Eli” Drinkwitz has been the head coach of the Missouri football program since 2020 and so far has a 46-29 record.

“We are disappointed in JJ’s actions,” Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said in a statement provided to the Tribune on Tuesday. “He is indefinitely suspended from the team as the legal process plays out.”

The linebacker was bonded out before the case could be filed. The bail amount for the felony fleeing charge is $4,500, and $500 for the misdemeanor charge. 

The Class D felony charge of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle in the state of Missouri carries no eligibility for probation or parole. 

That being said, standard Class D felonies do allow for such eligibility.

There is also no conditional release until the defendant serves at least one year of the sentence.

The law also states that it is punishable by up to seven years in prison or one year in county jail. There is also a fine of up to $10,000. 

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote