Laker's Bentley Crash: Jordan Hill's Bentley Crashed Into Building In Marina Del Rey
The Los Angeles Lakers' wild season just got crazier. Forward/center Jordan Hill, whose season was ended after just 29 games because of a hip injury, is the owner of a Bentley that crashed into Esprit condominium complex at 2 a.m. Saturday morning, according to reports.
The car is registered to Hill, but the driver was identified as 26-year-old Michael Lacey. California Highway officials said Lacey was drunk at the time of the accident and called Hill's car "a total loss." The driver entered a circular driveway, and failed to keep turning. The Bentley hopped a curb and slammed into the side of a building. Lacey was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and taken into police custody.
California Highway Patrol spokesman Ed Jacobs told the media that Hill was not in the car at the time of the crash. There was another man in the car with Lacey but authorities said there were no injuries.
One witness to the accident, Daniel Spielman, told NBC: "We heard a large bang and then a splash of water kind of like someone crashed into the pool. And then we walked outside and it looked like a water main had burst. You could smell gas ... The driver and whoever else was in the car ran up into the building."
Hill, the eighth overall pick of the New York Knicks in the 2008 NBA draft, was having his most productive professional season before it was derailed by a torn labrum in his hip.
Prior to the injury, Hill was averaging a career highs in points per game (6.7) and rebounds (5.7), while shooting a hair under 50 percent from the field.
At the time of the injury, point guard Steve Nash said of Hill, "I'm really, really disappointed for Jordan. He was one of the bright spots. I thought he was finding a really nice niche with the offense and his energy on the boards and on defense is always going to be great for our depth. It's another big blow in a season of blows."
Hill has declined to comment on the accident involving his Bentley.