Mark Walton facing DUI charge, suspended by Miami
— -- Miami running back Mark Walton was arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence and was suspended indefinitely from the team shortly thereafter.
Miami police told The Associated Press that other charges against Walton are pending. A person familiar with the situation told the AP that Walton is under investigation for impersonating a law enforcement officer, a third-degree felony in Florida. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the inquiry is ongoing.
"We are aware of the situation regarding Mark Walton and we have taken immediate action by suspending him from the team," Miami athletic director Blake James said in a statement. "We have no further comment at the time."
Walton was going through the booking process Saturday, and it was unclear when he would make his initial court appearance or if he retained an attorney.
The 19-year-old Walton had blood-alcohol levels of 0.059 and 0.06, police said, and while those are within the legal limit for adults 21 or older, the limit for those under 21 is 0.02.
Walton had bloodshot and watery eyes and was slurring his speech when police stopped him, the AP said, citing the arrest affidavit. Police also said Walton nearly fell when asked to walk to the back of the vehicle.
A rising sophomore, Walton gained 1,054 all-purpose yards for the Hurricanes last season. He led the team with 10 total touchdowns (nine rushing, one receiving), was second with 450 rushing yards and fifth with 293 receiving yards.
Walton had a key role in Miami's most memorable play of 2015, the eight-lateral kickoff return as time expired for the game-winning touchdown at Duke.
His arrest comes one week after Miami's spring game, after which Hurricanes coach Mark Richt urged his players to help each other stay out of trouble and avoid negative headlines.
Walton is a Miami native who starred at Booker T. Washington High. He finished his high school career with 45 touchdowns and chose the Hurricanes over offers from Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee and South Carolina, among others.
