CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson was cited with driving left of the centerline in a collision early Sunday morning that left former Duke quarterback Anthony Boone in a Charlotte hospital.
Thompson was not injured. Boone was transported to Carolinas Medical Center with serious but non-life threatening injuries. According North Carolina Trooper John Burgin, alcohol was in Thompson's system, but it was determined in a roadside test that Thompson was below the legal limit. Thompson was not taken in for further testing.
Burgin said Thompson stated he dropped his cell phone and was reaching down to get it when he crossed the centerline as the two approached from opposite directions on Potter Road in Weddington, North Carolina.
Burgin said both drivers swerved and collided. He said Boone was not wearing a seat belt and, from his understanding, suffered a broken pelvis and several broken ribs.
Thompson, the No. 25 pick of the 2015 draft, and Boone both live in the Weddington area but did not know each other. Panthers spokesperson Steven Drummond said Thompson notified the team of the accident and the team is aware alcohol was in the player's system.
Thompson is expected to participate in Phase 3 of Carolina's offseason workouts when they begin on Tuesday.
"We are in the process of gathering more information,'' Drummond said.
Boone signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2015 but was released before training camp. He also spent some time with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
