Seferian-Jenkins charged; blood alcohol level .18

Austin Seferian-Jenkins had a blood-alcohol level of .18 the night of March 9 when he drove off a street and crashed his car, prompting the Seattle city attorney office to charge him Tuesday with drunk driving.

Suspended since the one-car accident at 22nd Avenue NE and Ravenna Avenue NE, the second-team All-Pac-12 tight end for the Washington Huskies will now face further discipline from the program, according to coach Steve Sarkisian, who said earlier at spring practice that the program would wait for the city’s completion of the accident investigation. By state law, the blood-alcohol limit for drivers is .08.

Sarkisian released a statement through the school Tuesday that read, “We are aware of the charge against Austin Seferian-Jenkins that was announced today. He will remain suspended from the football program indefinitely. He has already begun to take the necessary steps to return at the appropriate time.”

The athletic program’s student handbook offers the protocol for violations of team policy:

Violations of conduct “will be handled on a case by case basis, and the discipline imposed for a violation shall depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. The discipline process administered by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is separate and supplemental to the University’s discipline process.

“Possible sanctions by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics include warnings, reprimands, mandatory counseling, community service, probation, suspension from team activities, dismissal from the team, and revocation/reduction/non-renewal of athletically related financial aid.

“When a student-athlete has been arrested or charged with a violation of criminal law, the student-athlete will be placed on administrative suspension from all team activities pending further investigation. If the alleged criminal activity would constitute a misdemeanor offense, the head coach may lift the administrative suspension after obtaining the approval of the sport administrator. If the alleged criminal activity would constitute a felony, the administrative suspension may be lifted only upon authorization of the Director of Athletics.”

Seferian-Jenkins, who also played basketball in his freshman season, was bleeding from the nose, and the damage to his car’s windshield was consistent with his head striking the glass from inside. The police report said Seferian-Jenkins, a sophomore from Gig Harbor High School, was found sitting on the curb near the vehicle. He was ordered to Harborview Hospital before being released.

He has since issued a statement of apology, and has not practiced with the team.