Ex-NFL Coach Rex Ryan Surrenders on Hit-and-Run Charges After Nashville Pedestrians ID'd His Truck
The former Jets and Bills head coach, now an ESPN analyst, turned himself in on six misdemeanor charges after police say his pickup struck two pedestrians downtown and kept going.
Rex Ryan, the former NFL head coach turned ESPN analyst, surrendered to police this week on charges stemming from an alleged hit-and-run in downtown Nashville earlier this month.
Police say the incident happened just before midnight on Nov. 5, when a pickup truck struck two pedestrians who were crossing Broadway with the walk signal, according to ABC News. The pedestrians suffered only minor injuries, but the driver allegedly left the scene without stopping.
The license plate that cracked the case
According to police, the pedestrians photographed the truck's license plate as it drove off, and the tag traced back to Ryan. TMZ, citing a police warrant, reported that investigators matched the plate and registered-owner information directly to the former coach. Ryan was booked on six misdemeanor counts — two counts each of leaving the scene of a crash, failing to give information or render aid, and disobeying a traffic signal, per ESPN's report on the charges.
"ESPN IS AWARE AND IN TOUCH WITH REX."
Ryan's bond was set at $6,000, though he was ultimately released on non-financial conditions. His attorneys said he surrendered immediately after learning warrants had been issued, framing his cooperation as proof he wasn't trying to evade the charges once he became aware of them.
What's next
ESPN, where Ryan has worked as an NFL analyst since retiring from coaching, said in a statement that the network is monitoring the situation. The misdemeanor charges have not been adjudicated, and Ryan has not publicly addressed the allegations in detail. A court date is expected to be set in the coming weeks as the case moves through the Nashville court system.