BREAKING: @Raptors player Jonas Valanciunas has been charged with driving under the influence in Wasaga Beach.
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) April 7, 2014
Apparently he had open beer bottles lying around in his car:
Huronia West OPP say Jonas Valanciunas, 21, a $3.3-million-per-year centre for the club, drove his vehicle through an Oxbow Road drive-thru restaurant at around 2:30 a.m. with open beer bottles in plain view.
Investigating officers determined he’d been drinking and he was charged with over .80, his vehicle was impounded and his licence was automatically suspended.
We were made aware this morning of the incident involving Jonas Valanciunas and are disappointed he has put himself in this situation.
We take this matter very seriously as we have the highest expectations for all members of our organization.
At this time we are continuing to gather information and we will comment further when appropriate.
I hold myself to a high standard and take my role as a member of the Toronto Raptors very seriously. I apologize to the organization, my teammates, my family and my fans, and regret any negativity this incident has brought upon them.
Apparently it’s usually a two-game suspension.
This sucks man. It’s not something I associate with Jonas, but we all have our crosses to bear and having a drink and going for a drive is apparently his.
This happened in Wasaga beach apparently, which is not surprising. Young Zarar has taken a few trips to Wasaga beach during his youth and I can attest that such behaviour is rather endemic around those parts. It’s something to do with the water, sun, scantily clad women, lack of police enforcement, private “picnic” areas, shady groves, and most of all, very readily available alcohol and other substances. Then again, all that doesn’t start till after May 24 weekend, so I’m not sure what Jonas is even doing there in April in a rainstorm. But hey, if he likes ice fishing when others are rolling in Vegas, then I’m not really surprised by this.
RR firmly stands behind Jonas in this tough time. We’re like the wife of the senator as he delivers his apology press conference after sending out pictures of his junk to random strangers. Yes, we’re almost like that wife, almost. She’s strong, supportive and most of all judgemental. RR is not judgemental. That is something we are not.
I’ll be curious to see if the team suspends him for such behaviour (they should), even though it might put our 50-win target and playoff positioning at risk.
Come back strong big fella.
