Bears’ Rookie Was Drunk in Fatal Car Crash

Chicago Bears rookie Fred Washington was drunk when the car he was driving crashed into a tree, killing him and a female passenger, a state’s attorney said.

Washington, 23, and Petra Stoll, 22, were killed in an early morning crash Dec. 21.

Toxicology tests showed Washington’s blood-alcohol level was higher than the 0.1% allowed by Illinois law, Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Waller said. Waller said he had not seen exact figures and could not say what Washington’s blood-alcohol content was.

“This is totally out of character for Fred,” said Tom Redwine, an attorney in Denison, Tex., who represented Washington and is a close friend of the family.

“He was a most responsible person who took very good care of his body and respected those around him,” Redwine said.

Stoll’s blood-alcohol content also was higher than the legal limit for driving, Waller said.

Lake County Coroner Barbara Richardson was scheduled to release the test results late today. Richardson had said earlier that tests showed no signs of illegal drugs in either victim.

Washington had seen little playing time with the Bears before his death.