Sparks’ Byears Arrested

Spark forward Latasha Byears was arrested and jailed March 1 in Sacramento on a charge of driving while under the influence of marijuana.

Byears was arrested that evening after California Highway Patrol officers, according to her arrest report, observed her “driving erratically, drifting from side to side, at speeds of 30 to 50 mph,” on California Highway 99 in Sacramento.

She was charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence of marijuana, jailed for four hours, then released on her own recognizance. Her court date is pending.

Spark Coach Michael Cooper was informed of Byears’ arrest Tuesday night at Hartford, Conn., where he was scouting the Big East Conference women’s basketball tournament.

He wouldn’t comment on the case, he said, until “after I’ve had a long conversation with her.”

The WNBA has a comprehensive drug policy that includes testing, penalties and treatment, but its details are confidential because they are spelled out in the league’s collective bargaining agreement with its players, WNBA spokeswoman Maureen Coyle said.

The Sparks obtained Byears, 27, from Sacramento in an Oct. 11 trade for veteran La’Keshia Frett. Byears, a rugged 5-foot-11, 205-pound rebounder, had been with the Monarchs for four seasons.