Jay Cutler Allegedly Tried to Escape After DUI Arrest, New Details Unveiled by Police

Jay Cutler Allegedly Tried to Escape After DUI Arrest, New Details Unveiled by Police

The retired NFL quarterback and reality TV personality was arrested on Thursday and faces charges of DUI and possession of a handgun while intoxicated.

Jay Cutler was arrested on Thursday, October 17, on charges of DUI and illegally possessing a weapon while intoxicated. According to charging documents obtained by PEOPLE, the former NFL quarterback allegedly rear-ended another vehicle in downtown Franklin, Tennessee, and attempted to flee the scene. He reportedly offered the other driver $2,000 to avoid calling the police.

Upon arrival, officers noted Cutler had "bloodshot eyes" and the smell of alcohol. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a rifle and a loaded handgun, as detailed in the affidavit from Williamson County, Tennessee.

A spokesperson from the Franklin Police Department confirmed that Cutler faces charges including DUI, illegal possession of a weapon while intoxicated, implied consent, and failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision. He was released later that night on a $5,000 bond.

The arresting officer reported that he observed Mr. Cutler "staggering, swaying, and heavy-footed while walking" at the scene of the crash, according to the affidavit. 

He also noted that Cutler spoke with a "thick tongue," slurred his words, and mumbled. The officer described Cutler's eyes as "bloodshot, glassy, red/pink, watery, and dilated." Additionally, he detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Cutler, who initially denied having consumed any before the collision. 

“I informed Mr. Cutler that I am an Advanced Roadside Impairment Enforcement Officer and knew he was lying,” the officer stated in the affidavit. When asked again about his alcohol consumption, Cutler admitted to having "a little bit."

Cutler then refused to take a field sobriety test, prompting the officer to take him into custody and request a blood search warrant. Cutler’s blood was drawn at the Williamson Medical Center to test for alcohol, as noted in the affidavit.

After his arrest, a patrol officer searched Cutler's truck and found a rifle in the back seat, along with a loaded Glock handgun in the center console.

Cutler "denies being involved in a crash, but there was a small dent in the rear of the other vehicle," the officer stated in the affidavit. He noted that Cutler's truck, equipped with a front winch, obscured any visible damage from the alleged incident.

PEOPLE has reached out to Cutler’s representatives for comment.

Cutler had a 12-season NFL career, playing for the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and Denver Broncos. He married former *Laguna Beach* star Kristin Cavallari in 2013, and the couple became the focus of E!’s *Very Cavallari* from 2018 to 2020.

Cavallari and Cutler, who have three children—sons Camden, 11, and Jaxon, 9, and daughter Saylor, 8—filed for divorce in 2020, citing "irreconcilable differences" and "inappropriate marital conduct" as reasons for their split.

In their divorce filing, Cavallari asserted that Cutler was "guilty of inappropriate marital conduct that makes further cohabitation unsafe and improper." She also stated that "any misconduct alleged or implied against her" in Cutler's divorce petition "was in response to and/or a result of misconduct on [Cutler's] part."

Cutler is scheduled to appear in court for the DUI and weapon possession charges on January 16, 2025.