49ers release linebacker Aldon Smith after latest arrest

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) —The 49ers released linebacker Aldon Smith following his latest arrest for alleged drunk driving and a hit-and-run.

The San Francisco 49ers released this statement Friday:

“This organization has tried very hard to help Aldon fight his issues. Although he is no longer a member of this team, our support and concern for him will continue.”


Police in Northern California have arrested and accused Smith of hit-and-run, drunken driving and vandalism. The details of his arrest Thursday were not immediately available.

Police report Friday that he was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail.

He was arrested two years ago on drunken driving charges. Smith missed five games in 2013 after that arrest and went into a substance abuse rehabilitation clinic.

Last fall, Smith received a nine-game suspension for what the league called violations of its substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies.

Los Angeles-based Relativity Sports claims Smith as a client on its website. A representative was not immediately available for comment Friday morning.

Josh Bentley, a lawyer who represented Smith previously, also wasn’t immediately available for comment Friday.

Upon his release from jail, Smith told a reporter that it wasn’t a DUI.
 



49ers Coach Jim Tomsula called Friday a "sad day."