Oregon Ducks Receiver Messiah Hampton Arrested on Reckless Driving, Eluding Charges
Hampton faces charges following a high-speed police chase on October 18, becoming the second Oregon receiver arrested for an incident that occurred that day.
University of Oregon wide receiver Messiah Hampton was arrested Friday, facing charges of attempting to elude police and misdemeanor reckless driving. The incident allegedly occurred on October 18 in Springfield, Oregon.
Hampton's arrest follows that of senior wideout Evan Stewart, who was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) in the early hours of October 18. Stewart's DUII charge came less than a day after Oregon's win over Nebraska.
According to police, Hampton was identified as the driver of one of two vehicles that fled from Springfield officers during a high-speed chase on the morning of October 18. Authorities later found one of the fleeing cars abandoned near the location where Stewart was arrested for DUII.
Springfield Police deputy chief George Crolly stated that while Mr. Hampton has been identified as one driver, investigators are still working to identify the occupant of the second vehicle involved in the chase. Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson was cited for speeding on the same night but is not believed to be connected to either Hampton's or Stewart's cases.
Hampton, a four-star recruit from Rochester, New York, was a late scratch for Oregon's recent game against Northwestern. He had initially considered Syracuse before committing to the Ducks.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning addressed Stewart's arrest on October 20, stating, "There was an incident this weekend that didn't match our standard here in our program. There will be an appropriate action taken. Still gathering some details with what that situation looks like. But that would be handled internally."
Stewart's arrest marks the second DUII charge for the Oregon football program in recent months, following an August booking of running back coach Ra'Shaad Samples, who has pleaded not guilty. Stewart, a redshirt senior and transfer from Texas A&M, has recorded 27 catches for 352 yards and four touchdowns this season. He missed the game against Nebraska due to an undisclosed injury.
