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49ers Release Aldon Smith Following DUI, Hit And Run Arrest

SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has been released from the team following his latest arrest on suspicion of DUI, team officials said Friday.

"This organization has tried very hard to help Aldon fight his issues," team officials said in a statement released late Friday morning.

"Although he is no longer a member of this team, our support and concern for him will continue."

The new 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula made the official announcement releasing Smith from the team. He says Smith has been working hard to kick a number of problems he's had.

"Get the help," he said, "and although Aldon will not be playing, we will support him."

Smith was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of hit-and-run, driving under the influence and vandalism, according to the Santa Clara Police Department.

At a news conference Friday, Santa Clara Police Lt. Kurt Clarke said that Smith had hit a car at about 8:45 p.m. Thursday in the 500 block of Moreland Way at a residential complex where he most likely lives.

Smith's door was open as he backed out and crashed his door into a neighbor's car, Clarke said. He then left on foot.

He later came back on his own, met with police officers and agreed to take a field sobriety test, which officers say he failed.

He was booked into jail Friday morning on $26,000 bail, according to jail records. He posted bail and was released around 8:30 a.m.

KPIX 5 caught up with Smith as he was leaving.

"I apologize for everyone I did let down and I apologize for how it all played out," he told reporters. "But as far as everything is concerned it will work out how it's supposed to work out."

He was arrested two years ago on drunken driving charges. Smith missed five games in 2013 after that arrest and went into a substance abuse rehabilitation clinic.

Smith took a nine-game absence 2014 season for what the league called violations of its substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies.

The 25-year-old Smith was also arrested in April 2014 at Los Angeles International Airport. Police said Smith was randomly selected for a secondary screening and became uncooperative with the process, telling a TSA agent that he had a bomb. No charges were filed.

While he is being released from the team, two days ago, the 49ers general manager said the team would like to keep him beyond the season.

 

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