BREAKING: Veteran Penn State defender charged with DUI, tested positive for hard drugs
Senior defensive end, a key rotational player for Penn State, was charged on Monday with driving under the influence of marijuana, according to Bret Pallotto of the *Centre Daily Times*. Vanover faces two misdemeanor DUI counts, and Penn State Athletics has acknowledged the charges.
In a statement, a Penn State spokesperson emphasized that Vanover’s alleged actions do not align with the program’s values and said the matter would be addressed internally, but they declined to comment further due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
The incident occurred on August 8, shortly after midnight, when Vanover was pulled over near Waupelani Drive and O’Bryan Lane for driving with expired tags. According to police reports obtained by *PennLive*, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana in the vehicle. Although Vanover claimed the smell came from his clothes due to friends smoking in his car, officers noted that his pupils were bloodshot, and he appeared “sleepy.” Vanover did not possess a medical marijuana card.
Vanover failed roadside sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. A subsequent blood test confirmed the presence of marijuana in his system with a 95% confidence level. Additionally, Vanover was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 2.
Vanover has contributed two tackles so far this season, both in the Week 1 win against West Virginia. Over his career, he has accumulated 31 tackles, seven for loss, and 2.5 sacks across 31 games. His role is particularly crucial as Penn State deals with depth concerns at defensive end following injuries and dismissals.
Head coach James Franklin is scheduled to address the media on Tuesday but may not provide significant updates due to the ongoing legal situation.