Former NFL head coach and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan was arrested Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, after allegedly striking 2 pedestrians with his pickup truck and leaving the scene following an argument with them, according to police.
Ryan, 63, surrendered to authorities on 6 misdemeanor warrants connected to the incident, which occurred shortly before midnight Thursday in downtown Nashville. Both pedestrians suffered minor injuries.
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD), Ryan was driving a pickup truck near the intersection of 4th Avenue and Broadway when he turned right and allegedly struck 2 people who were crossing the street with a walk signal.
Police said the truck ran over both pedestrians’ feet and struck one of them in the leg before continuing down Broadway.
The pedestrians later caught up with the vehicle at a red light near Representative John Lewis Way and confronted the driver. Investigators said Ryan stepped out of the truck and argued with them before getting back inside and driving away.
The pedestrians photographed the driver and the truck’s license plate, which investigators later traced to Ryan.
Ryan faces 2 counts each of leaving the scene of an accident, failing to provide information or render aid, and failing to obey a traffic control signal. A judicial commissioner initially set his bond at $6,000, but he qualified for pretrial release without having to post bail.
His attorney, David Raybin, said Ryan surrendered immediately after learning about the charges and had been cooperating with law enforcement. Raybin added that the defense had only recently received the warrants and was still reviewing the allegations.
ESPN, where Ryan works as an NFL analyst, acknowledged the incident in a brief statement, saying it was aware of the situation and was in contact with him.
Ryan previously served as head coach of the New York Jets from 2009 to 2014 and the Buffalo Bills from 2015 to 2016. He led the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances following the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Ryan is scheduled to appear in court next month. The charges remain pending, and he has not been convicted.