Rampage Jackson Flees Car Crash And Gets Arrested

Fozzy

This news is too big to keep on the MMA thread I think...

According to TMZ.com, Rampage was arrested a little while ago for fleeing a car crash. Link: http://www.tmz.com/2008/07/15/cops-say-jackson-went-on-rampage/

Cops Say Jackson Went On Rampage

Posted Jul 15th 2008 6:57PM by TMZ Staff

Former UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson got busted just minutes ago, and is currently in custody on the way to the clink, but not before he was ordering on the ground, cops nearby with guns drawn.

Law enforcement sources tell us, Rampage was in a car crash near Newport Beach (that's near Laguna Beach in the O.C.) and then split the scene. Cops gave chase and eventually caught up and charged him with felony hit and run and felony evading arrest.

Here's the deal about the dumbest hit and run ever. Notice the truck he tried evading police in -- the one with the giant picture of him plastered on the side!

We're told there could be additional charges. No word yet on whether Rampage resisted arrest.

Bad week. He got his ass handed to him last week (courtesy of Forrest Griffin) and just got it handed to him again.

Story developing ...

I was hoping that there was some mistake, but this sure looks like Rampage:



There's more pics here: http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/rampage_arrested He was driving a pickup truck with his picture on the side. It's definitely him judging from the one where he's in the cop car. He completely lost a tire trying to flee them

Obviously this isn't good for him or for the UFC. It'll be interesting to see what they have to say... It's not as if there's much ambiguity as to what happened from looking at those photos. A real pity


EDIT: A bit more info from the Wrestling Observer:

Quinton Jackson was pulled over this afternoon and taken to police headquarters after a car accident near Newport Beach, CA. He's been charged with felony hit and run, reckless driving and felony evading arrest.

According to the Costa Mesa police, an officer observed him driving with a flat tire and talking on his cell phone and attempted to pull him over. He ignored the officer and continued driving with the officer in pursuit. Police had received a report of a vehicle with his photo on it involved in a collision on the 55 Freeway in Costa Mesa, that struck other vehicles and fled the scene, according to Lt. Paul Dondero.

The chase continued with the vehicle weaving in and out of traffic, including at one point driving on the wrong side of the road and even on a sidewalk, scaring pedestrians.

The officer saw the vehicle in a second collision while driving toward Newport Beach. Nobody was believed to have been injured in the collisions.

The car continued to Newport Beach where the tire blew out and came off the rim and he was taken into the Orange County jail, where he is being held on $25,000 bail.

UFC president Dana White flew to Orange County upon getting the word of Jackson's arrest and was driving to the county jail, believed to be to post bond.

dunkamania

OMFG

UFC willl be thanking its lucky stars that Rampage just lost the title

I wonder what could possibly have happened to make him keep driving? Hope there's nothing worse behind it.

Dragan

Jesus ****ing Christ.

Is the old Rampage finally back?

Sorry.....bad joke.

dunkamania

Ironic the sponsor on the truck being Toyo tires, and one of the tires having being destroyed, probably not the positive marketing image they were looking for.

Dragan

Dragan wrote: »

Jesus ****ing Christ.

Is the old Rampage finally back?

Sorry.....bad joke.

Banned. :pac:


Actually...while we're at it.......i thought it was an early stoppage myself, Rampage looks like he could have continued!

dunkamania

dunkamania wrote: »

Ironic the sponsor on the truck being Toyo tires, and one of the tires having being destroyed, probably not the positive marketing image they were looking for.

LOL yea was lookin at the irony of that! I bet their PR department have a fun day ahead!

dunkamania

Deleted User wrote: »

Actually...while we're at it.......i thought it was an early stoppage myself, Rampage looks like he could have continued!

From TMZ:

As TMZ first reported, the just-defeated UFC champ was busted this afternoon for alleged felony hit and run. Now we have the details -- and they're insane! Rampage was on the 55 Freeway in the O.C., hit two cars and got off the freeway. The chase was on.

Rampage then began driving on the center divider. But it gets worse. According to the police report, Jackson then drove on the sidewalk, "causing pedestrians to flee for their lives." He started driving the wrong way on a crowded street, colliding with yet another car in an intersection. As he continued on, running several red lights, his tire disintegrated and he began driving on the rim.

Rampage eventually got to the exclusive Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, where he again drove on the sidewalk, "causing pedestrians to flee in terror."

Eventually, his car came to a stop and he was taken into custody at gunpoint. Cops took him to the Orange County Jail, but they determined he was "medically unfit" to be booked. Cops won't say if he was high.

Rampage is currently in an O.C. hospital.

Killme00

Sounds like he is shooting a movie.

Fozzy

but they determined he was "medically unfit" to be booked

I read in another report last night that the cops said that there were no signs of alcohol or drug use. Here's one that says that: http://mmajunkie.com/news/4812/details-and-exclusive-photos-of-quinton-jacksons-allleged-felony-hit-and-run.mma

To be honest, the first thing I thought was that it was filming for the A-Team movie

Kazooie

Wonder how he thought he'd escape with a huge picture of himself on the truck!

Could work out well for ufc publicity wise. People love this bad boy stuff!

hardCopy

This is truly bizarre. I never got any impression that Rampage was a nut-job.

Rampage by name, Rampage by nature I suppose.


From sherdog:

New article which appears to rubbish the hospitalised rumour.

UFC light heavyweight Quinton Jackson, who was arrested on Tuesday after an alleged hit-and-run accident and subsequent police chase, has posted bail and left the Orange County jail.

The Costa Mesa Police Department confirmed the news with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) this morning.

After being arrested for felony evading, hit-and-run and reckless driving, Jackson posted bail, which had been set at $25,000, overnight.

Jackson allegedly hit multiple cars during a short police chase Tuesday afternoon. He eventually pulled over and surrendered to police after traveling from Costa Mesa to Newport Beach in California. No injuries were reported.

According to a press release from the Costa Mesa Police Department, Jackson ignored an officer's directions to pull over and continued "weaving in and out of traffic" while forcing "pedestrians to flee for their lives" as he continued "running several red lights."

Police initially told MMAjunkie.com that neither drugs nor alcohol were suspected to have played a role in the incident.

UFC president Dana White arrived in California on Tuesday via private plane, presumably to post bail for Jackson.

Additionally, according to fiveouncesofpain.com, reports that Jackson has been hospitalized appear unfounded.

Fozzy

There's a short video here of him being cuffed: http://www.tmz.com/tmz_main_video?titleid=1670053877

It's not the most technical knee-ride I've ever seen, but it did the job!

dunkamania

Disappointed that Rampage gave up his back so easy :rolleyes:

Dragan

dunkamania wrote: »

Disappointed that Rampage gave up his back so easy :rolleyes:

Better than him ending up in the clinch! Those coppers apparently have MT skillz.:pac:

dlofnep

Total scumbag. What on earth was he up to.

Dragan

dlofnep wrote: »

Total scumbag. What on earth was he up to.

No idea, and lots of conflicting reports as well. The sherdog article has one of the coppers quoted as describing Page as being "upset" at the time. He eventually only stopped outside the house of a training partner as well, not some random road.

Might be nothing, might be something!

Fozzy

While I think that the UFC won't cut him, I do think that this will give some journalists the chance to attempt to use it as an indictment of MMA. Not that it has anything to do with MMA, it's fairly tame compared to some of the stuff other American sportspeople have gotten up to in the last year

I was watching Setanta Sports News at 7, I saw the UFC graphic coming up so I watched to see if they'd mention Rampage. They didn't, just something about Irvin wantin to beat Silva. I'm pretty sure that their UFC news is controlled by the UFC itself

cletus

I keep waiting for the punchline/setup/funny wind up ending to this story.

Doesn't look like its coming:(

edit: thats hardly Rampages radio playing Canned Heat :):)

dlofnep

Dragan wrote: »

No idea, and lots of conflicting reports as well. The sherdog article has one of the coppers quoted as describing Page as being "upset" at the time. He eventually only stopped outside the house of a training partner as well, not some random road.

Might be nothing, might be something!

He's a scumbag. Who cares if he was upset? He drove like a maniac, after a hit and run - driving directly at people who had to flee out of the way.

The police report has documented it well.

He's filth. End of story. People tried to defend another scumbag in Lee Murray after he robbed a bank. I'll defend MMA, but I won't defend scumbags like this.

Nothingcompares

Hit and run? That could simply mean he knocked the wing mirror of someone's car and instead of doing the decent thing he drove off like it didn't happen. I'd be reluctant to brand him a scumbag and wipe my hands of him before I've heard facts.

Fozzy

Nothingcompares wrote: »

Hit and run? That could simply mean he knocked the wing mirror of someone's car and instead of doing the decent thing he drove off like it didn't happen. I'd be reluctant to brand him a scumbag and wipe my hands of him before I've heard facts.

The police report says that he crashed into three cars, drove the wrong way up a road and drove on the path. I'll post it up here in a minute

Here it is:

A Motor Officer was monitoring traffic at the intersection of Newport Blvd and Broadway. He saw Jackson driving sound bound weaving in and out of traffic, with a flat front left tire speaking on his cell phone. The Motor Officer activated his lights and siren and initiated a traffic stop. Jackson ignored the Motor Officer and continued south bound on 17th weaving in and out of traffic to avoid being stopped.

Jackson drove over the raised center portion of the roadway at Cabrillo Ave. He lost control and drove up onto the sidewalk causing pedestrians to flee for their lives. Jackson regained control and continued southbound in the northbound lanes of Newport Blvd. As he crossed through the intersection with 17th St, he collided with a vehicle legally in the intersection. Jackson continued south bound on Newport Blvd running several red lights. The rubber from his left tire began to disintegrate at the PCH overpass. Jackson continued southbound onto the Balboa Peninsula running several more red lights, causing pedestrians to flee in terror. Jackson’s vehicle finally came to a stop at 18th St and Newport Blvd in the city of Newport Beach. Jackson was taken into custody by Costa Mesa Officers without incident.

Jackson was transported to the Costa Mesa City Jail and booked for; Felony Evading, Reckless Driving and Hit and Run. He was transported to the Orange County Jail and is being held in lieu of a $25,000.00 bail.

Prior to Motor Officer Barnes actions, Jackson had been involved in two separate collisions on the south bound 55 FWY. The CHP is taking those reports.

Jackson is a former Ultimate Fighting Champion title holder and fought under the name Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

Nothingcompares

I don't beleive that that is a police report. Again, rampage seemed to have broken a few lights and drove down a one way street and scratched a few parked cards. I'm sure he has a legitimate reason. Diabetic?

Fozzy

Nothingcompares wrote: »

I don't beleive that that is a police report. Again, rampage seemed to have broken a few lights and drove down a one way street and scratched a few parked cards. I'm sure he has a legitimate reason. Diabetic?

It's from the official press release that the police department released. If you don't believe me you can check it yourself at their website: http://www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/cmpdpress.htm It's the first link on that page

It seems like it's more than you're making it out to be. He could have easily hit a pedestrian or more seriously damaged a car by the sounds of it

Fozzy

His court date is set for August 15th. He faces charges of a felony evading charge, wreckless driving and hit and run: http://www.presstelegram.com/moresports/ci_9900910

The maximum penalty he could face is one year in prison as far as I can tell

Nothingcompares

rampage is innocent until proven guilty, i don't understand why you're all so quick to smear his good name

Fozzy

Nothingcompares wrote: »

rampage is innocent until proven guilty, i don't understand why you're all so quick to smear his good name

I know that, but seriously, what reasonable explanation is there for him to have been seen by a police officer driving on the wrong side of the road, on a path, and to have shredded a tire while the cop chased him? If he was under the influence of drugs then his sentence will be harsher. If he was depressed and in a bad state of mind they won't find him not guilty

Maybe you're messin, I don't know, your video's not workin :pac:

Nothingcompares

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cDDEhLw1PVI

Charlie3dan

Obviously it's hard to think of any justification for this, but I would think it's always best to reserve judgements until hearing both sides of the story.

I think the word scumbag is far too strong as well as that, Im gonna wait until I know all the details before I decide. Nobody knows why he did it, he could have had a very good reason. Obviously what he did was very wrong and he should definitely get a driving ban as you cannot endanger peoples lives but in all the years Ive followed his career he's never done anything that would justify or warrant him being called a scumbag. Everyone makes mistakes. As long as he takes the right steps to right his wrongs then you cant really call him a scumbag.

dunkamania

I am hearing that he was declared medically fit by the police, not unfit.

Fozzy

Uh oh... Rampage may have injured a woman and her unborn child: http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/07/16/publicsafety/dpt-jacksonfolo071708.txt

UFC fighter arrested on suspicion of hit and run may have also hurt a pregnant woman’s unborn baby, woman says.
By Joseph Serna

Updated: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 9:47 PM PDT
There are No comments posted. View Comments

Former light heavyweight Ultimate Fighting Championship title-holder Quinton “Rampage” Jackson injured a Huntington Beach woman and may have injured her unborn child when he drove down along the 55 freeway median, authorities and the woman said Wednesday.

Holli Griggs, 38, was driving her 2007 Cadillac Escalade in the left lane on the southbound 55 freeway just south of Bay Street when Jackson’s gray-and-green monster truck sideswiped her as it continued down the freeway at 45 mph, California Highway Patrol officer Jennifer Hink said. The freeway turns into Newport Boulevard just south of there and is typically clogged with traffic at about the time of the accident, 1:30 p.m.

Jackson could face felony charges of a hit and run because Griggs was taken to the hospital for minor injuries, Hink said. In an e-mail sent to the Daily Pilot, Griggs said she and her unborn baby, 16 and a half weeks along, were injured but was not sure to what extent.

Griggs said Jackson was acting “violent and reckless” and “had no regard for my life or anyone else’s for that matter.”

Authorities say Jackson also sideswiped the silver 2003 Mercedes behind Griggs in traffic. That driver was not injured, Hink said.

Minutes after the hit and run, police spotted Jackson’s truck on Newport Boulevard with one flat tire weaving in and out of traffic while Jackson talked on the phone, police said.

When a Costa Mesa traffic officer tried to pull him over unaware of the hit and run back on the freeway, Jackson didn’t stop, struck another car and headed to the Balboa Peninsula, Lt. Paul Dondero said. He was eventually caught and booked on suspicion of evading police, reckless driving and a hit and run.

Officers did not give Jackson a field sobriety test because he did not appear to be under the influence of any alcohol or drugs, Sgt. Bryan Glass said.

Jackson was taken to Costa Mesa jail then transported to county jail, but was deemed medically unfit and sent back, Sgt. Zack Hoferitza said. It’s been widely reported that UFC President Dana White posted Jackson’s $25,000 bail late Tuesday, but UFC officials declined to comment.

“This was pretty shocking. It just seemed out of character for him,” said Karen Santaniello, owner of No Limits Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness gym in Irvine, where Jackson trained early in his career. Jackson was known as a hard worker with a good sense of humor who avoided drugs or heavy drinking, she said. The only thing that seemed to affect him, she said, were losses.

“I think he was harder on himself. It was very difficult to him because he felt like he had let everyone down,” she said.

According to one of Jackson’s sponsor’s websites, Throwdown.com, Throwdown staff members were with Jackson Tuesday morning only hours before his arrest. They said they were meeting his family, checking out his truck and watching with him, for the first time, his upset loss to Forrest Griffin on July 5, costing him the light heavyweight title. In a video interview on the site, Jackson seemed humble about the loss and credited Griffin’s game plan for the win.

This story says that he was medically unfit when he was brought to the county jail

t-ha

If you had asked me last week, from what I've seen of his career/interviews to date, I would have said that Jackson was one of the genuinely nicest guys in MMA. I've never gotten the impression that he was anything but a good guy. Obviously the way he seems to have behaved recently was irrational and dangerous and I'm sure he'll pay for it now, but there's a big difference between a good guy who couldn't hold his head together and a scumbag.

Charlie3dan

Eh, not sure if this is any good cos I can't use sound in the office- Radio Interview with Dana White http://www.mmatko.com/dana-white-radio-interveiw-first-comment-about-rampage/

....Yez might let me know what he says?

Chuck comments on the situation

dunkamania

Classy from Chuck

Killme00

dunkamania wrote: »

Classy from Chuck

Girl of the month on the right is pretty classy too

Anyone listened to charlies link? Im in the same boat as him, in work, cant listen!

dunkamania

Also in work cant listen

Found this, unsubstantiated

Close friends of Rampage had been very concerned about him the past few days [before the arrest]. He was very depressed and acting increasingly strange. There is something wrong with his mental well-being. They do not believe it is drugs or another substance. I have heard from others who said they’ve been concerned about his mental state for the past year. When he was in custody yesterday his blood pressure was sky high which is why they hospitalized him. Personally, I think he is out of touch with reality.

Note the mugshot picture shows Rampage shirtless for some reason....

t-ha

Not much about Rampage, just that he's (Dana) trying to get to the bottom of it. The lads on the phone in quiz are worth a listen though!

Here's an interview with Rampage the day before he got arrested and he seems like he's a bit muddled in the head.
http://www.tmz.com/tmz_main_video?titleid=1670053929

stevemc01

At the moment this is all rumours...BUT

There are threads on both MMA Weekly and Sherdog stating rumours that Rampage has been arrested AGAIN for holding somebody hostage. Apparently the police have yet to deny or confirm these rumours.

Seems like he has lost the plot big time.

stevemc01

stevemc01 wrote: »

At the moment this is all rumours...BUT

There are threads on both MMA Weekly and Sherdog stating rumours that Rampage has been arrested AGAIN for holding somebody hostage. Apparently the police have yet to deny or confirm these rumours.

Seems like he has lost the plot big time.

Actually, heres the RUMOUR:

Sources say last night an Irvine police car was waved down by people near the place Rampage was staying who said he was acting weird. This, of course, following the insane chase the day before in which the UFC fighter hit several cars in his monster truck and was arrested at gunpoint.

We're told Irvine cops saw Rampage, deemed him a danger to himself and others, and took him to a hospital for observation.

Cops won't officially confirm if it's a psychiatric hold.

Dragan

Sherdog forums our down. May be unrelated or they may have temporarily pulled them to stop the rumour mill going crazy.

Dragan

Dragan wrote: »

Sherdog forums our down. May be unrelated or they may have temporarily pulled them to stop the rumour mill going crazy.

They've been down all day. Dunno if that is related since the rumour seems to have started only an hour or two ago.

Dragan

Deleted User wrote: »

They've been down all day. Dunno if that is related since the rumour seems to have started only an hour or two ago.

Really? I was able to post on them up to about an hour ago!

Hmmm, I tried this mornin and got on (around half 9) and again at 11 and it was down and havent been able to get on since.


The UG is still running.

Dragan

Deleted User wrote: »

The UG is still running.

Not suprised. After WWIII when the whole place has been nuked the only things left will cockroaches and the UG.

Dragan

Dragan wrote: »

Not suprised. After WWIII when the whole place has been nuked the only things left will cockroaches and the UG.

Don't forget Paris Hilton, we're never gonna be able to get rid of her


The rumour mill about Rampage is unfortunate but from what I can see so far he hasnt been arrested for holding anyone hostage.

Details of his re-arrest


his friends called the police on him. Seems they were uncomfortable around him. Very worrying.