Falcons DE Pearce Arrested in Road Rage with Ex-Girlfriend

Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. was arrested on February 7 in Doral, Florida, following an alleged road rage incident involving his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, capping a series of prior police interactions that raised concerns about harassment and stalking.

Police reports indicate that the confrontation began when Pearce, driving a white Lamborghini SUV, followed Jackson's vehicle and attempted to open her driver's side door at a red light. As Jackson drove toward the Doral Police Department seeking safety, Pearce allegedly rear-ended her car near the station before colliding with it head-on. When officers arrived, Pearce tried to flee by getting back into his SUV, shutting the door on an officer and striking the law enforcement official in the left knee with the vehicle. He then crashed at a nearby intersection and attempted to escape on foot before being apprehended.

Pearce faces five felony charges, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding police officers, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence...