Ian Thomas is facing five misdemeanor charges stemming from an arrest last July following an incident with police in North Carolina.
According to a report by The Athletic, the Carolina Panthers tight end, who was driving an unregistered and uninsured 2017 Honda dirt bike, and the unidentified driver of a red ATV were pulled over by Huntersville police for not having license plates. Thomas and the driver of the ATV then accelerated after appearing to slow down and veered into an oncoming lane of traffic.
The driver of ATV managed to escape while Thomas eventually stopped and was subsequently arrested. Police arrested him on charges of reckless driving and felony fleeing to elude. His attorney, George Laughrun, said prosecutors reduced the felony to a misdemeanor.
The Panthers were well aware of the incident when signing Thomas to a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension last week.
The 6’4″ tight end tallied 18 receptions for 188 yards in 17 games played (13 starts) in 2021.
For his career total so far, Thomas has 90 receptions for 802 yards and four touchdowns.
