David Wesley Convicted of Reckless Driving

C H A R L O T T E, N.C. July 6 -- Charlotte Hornets guard David Wesley wasconvicted today of reckless driving, but acquitted of racingteammate Bobby Phills in the moments before Phills died in ahead-on collision six months ago.

Mecklenburg County District Judge Fritz Mercer said enoughreasonable doubt existed about whether Wesley and Phills wereracing their Porsches when Phills died Jan. 12 that he had to findhim innocent of misdemeanor spontaneous speed competition.

Wesley, 29, was given a 30-day suspended sentence for recklessdriving, fined $250 plus court costs and ordered to complete 40hours of community service within the next 60 days. Wesley’sattorneys also said he would be willing to make a public serviceannouncement about safe driving.

Acknowledged Driving Fast

Before Mercer announced his verdict, Wesley acknowledged undercross-examination that he and Phills both were driving fast.

“We weren’t racing,” he said. “We were driving fast. There was no destination. There was no finish line.”

After Mercer announced his decision, Wesley, relieved the trialwas over, said he had learned a lesson from the accident.

“As athletes and even as people, we sometimes think we areinvincible, even to controlling things as powerful as a car,” hesaid. “But sometimes even the simple things you do every day, younever know what can happen.”

Wesley said he still drives the Porsche he was driving whenPhills died, but the accident affected his outlook for a time.

“For a long time, it was hard for me to smile and have fun,”he said. “Bobby and I liked to smile and have fun together. I’msure he would want me to go on.”

Wesley: We Weren’t Racing

The accident happened after a morning Hornets practice on a roadnear the Charlotte Coliseum.

Wesley testified that Phills, 30, was behind him when in hisrearview mirror he saw his car swerve and collide with anothervehicle.