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University of Richmond football player appears in court for felony hit and run charge

Posted at 12:15 PM, Mar 01, 2012
and last updated 2012-03-01 12:18:20-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - A University of Richmond football player appeared in court Thursday morning to face a felony hit and run charges.

Richmond Police Spokesperson Gene Lepley told CBS 6 News' Angela Pellerano  that  20-year-old Jimmy Speros was arrested on campus Wednesday afternoon.

Richmond police said the offensive lineman crashed his truck after failing to stop at a stop sign around 9 p.m. Saturday.

Officers said Speros was driving a pickup truck when he hit a Nissan SUV, causing it to strike a brick wall. He is accused of walking away from the scene.

However, the driver and passenger of the Nissan were treated for non-life threatening injuries. The passengers in the truck were not injured.

Speros was arrested three days later.

Speros faced a magistrate and was released on his own recognizance. He was given a $3500 unsecured bond, according to Richmond Sheriff's Major Baldwin.

CBS 6 went to Speros' apartment on campus to get his perspective, but he wasn't home.

Speros is scheduled to appear in general district court Thursday.

According to the UR website, Speros has played for the Richmond Spiders since 2010.

He was listed on Richmond's 2011 preseason depth chart as back-up left tackle, but started some games as a center. The 6'5", 275 lb. Speros is the son of former Washington Redskins coach, Jim Speros.

Speros was a coach on the Redskins staff from 1983--winning the Superbowl--to 1984, and later coached the Buffalo Bills.

Some Richmond students said they're not surprised by what happened, and don't believe it will affect the reputation of the school.

"I don`t think it will affect the image of the school," said student, Dana Urban. "I think there are so many other things that make Richmond so special, than whats happening to one student," said Urban.

"I mean one student being irresponsible, I don`t think it reflects on the school," said student, Jordan Furtado.

The school released this statement regarding Speros:

"Any student-athlete charged with a felony crime will be immediately suspended from intercollegiate athletic participation and will thereafter be eligible only upon subsequent determination by the Director of Athletics".