Derting to remain suspended throughout investigation
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Washington State linebacker Will Derting was suspended after he was cited for driving under the influence following the Cougars’ 30-7 victory over Arizona, coach Bill Doba said Tuesday. Derting, the Cougars’ leading tackler, made a preliminary appearance Monday in Whitman County District Court in Colfax. A DUI ticket can be punished by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Derting was released after his court appearance and an arraignment was scheduled for Thursday, the Whitman County prosecutor’s office said. Doba said Derting will remain on suspension until the football staff completes its investigation of the incident. He said he didn’t know how long the suspension would last. Doba wouldn’t comment on whether Derting would miss games as a result of the suspension. It is likely Derting will be placed on team probation until his legal problems are resolved in court, Doba said. During the suspension, Derting will be unable to participate in team activities, including practices and weightlifting, the coach said. Derting, a 20-year-old sophomore from Okanogan County, has 37 tackles through six games. He also has 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Doba said Derting came to his office Sunday to tell him what had happened the previous night. Derting told him he was given the ticket after a truck he was parking for a friend bumped the vehicle behind it, Doba said. There was no damage to either vehicle, but officers on the scene detained Derting and administered a blood-alcohol test. “I’ve got a call into the chief of police to see what the situation was,” Doba said. “He was re-parking a pickup truck for a person that had parked with the tail end sticking out in the street. So, it’s not like he was driving down the street doing 80 mph.” Doba said he will “try to do the right thing for everybody involved” after receiving the facts of the case. “Will feels as bad as anyone.” Freshman Scott Davis is Derting’s backup. Davis has played in all six games and has 21 tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. |