Danny Drinkwater arrested, charged with drink driving after car crash in Manchester

UPDATE:

Drinkwater has been charged this morning with drink driving as per a statement from Cheshire Police. Initial reports spoke of a second vehicle in addition to the one he was driving, but Police are calling it a single vehicle collision, with a wall (or a fence, as per yet other reports and pictures).

Either way, Drinkwater has been released on “unconditional bail” (i.e. he can go home without any restrictions) but will have to appear in Court on May 13.

“A 29-year-old from Nether Alderley has been charged with drink driving following an incident in Cheshire.

”Danny Drinkwater was arrested shortly after 12.30am on Monday 8 April following a one-vehicle collision on Ashley Road in Mere.

”He has been released on unconditional bail and is set to appear at Stockport Magistrates’ Court on Monday 13 May.”

-Cheshire Police via Sky

PREVIOUSLY:

This is a developing story, so not all details are known yet — and most of what is, comes from The Sun, which means it’s embellished with things like “party lifestyle” and “scattered debris” and so on — but the facts established so far are definitely not good.

Cheshire Police have confirmed that they arrested a 29-year-old man late last night (12:30am, so Tuesday morning technically) in Hale, Greater Manchester on the suspicion of drink driving.

“Shortly after 12.30am we were called to a collision in Ashley Road in Mere. We arrived at the scene and found a black Land Rover estate car had collided with a wall. There was one man and two women, thankfully they just received minor injuries. A 29-year-old man from Nether Alderley was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. He is currently in custody assisting police with inquiries.”

-Cheshire Police via NBC Sports

Tabloids tell this story as Drinkwater, driving a Ranger Rover, hitting a Škoda shortly after leaving party. Fortunately, the driver, his passenger, and the driver of the Škoda all walked away with just minor injuries.

While police didn’t identify the driver, there seems to be little doubt about it being Danny Drinkwater, with a club spokesperson confirming that Chelsea are aware of the reports, but are reserving comment for now.

“We are aware of reports but we will want to establish all of the facts before commenting.”

-Chelsea FC via Mail

While it’s good news that nobody got seriously hurt, this is a serious mis-step for Drinkwater, who, by all indications, had been a model professional up to this point in his Chelsea career even if he has been completely overlooked by Sarri this season. When not in training with the first-team, or keeping the mood light in the dressing room, he had been working on a wellness center/restaurant business venture back in his home town.