Former NFL star Junior Seau treated after car goes off cliff

Former USC and San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Scripps La Jolla Hospital after the car he was driving plunged off a cliff in San Diego County, according to the Carlsbad Police Department.

The incident occurred after Seau was arrested in Oceanside on suspicion of domestic violence.

The crash occurred in Carlsbad, south of Oceanside, when the sport utility vehicle driven by Seau, who also played for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, went over a beachside cliff.

Seau, 41, had been released from a San Diego County jail facility just before the crash. Oceanside police released a statement that said Seau was arrested in the alleged assault of his live-in girlfriend. She suffered minor injuries during a verbal argument but did not require medical treatment, the statement said.

Police received an emergency call at 8:42 a.m. Monday about a vehicle veering off the road at Carlsbad Boulevard and Solamar Drive.

Authorities would not comment on whether the crash was related to Seau’s arrest hours earlier. He had been arrested at 12:20 a.m. in Oceanside, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility and was released after posting bail.

Carlsbad police dispatcher Matthew Pinell told the Associated Press late Monday that alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash “at this time.”

Seau told investigators he drove off the cliff because he fell asleep.

Seau went into a brief retirement before rejoining the Patriots and announced his retirement at the end of last season.

—Andrew Blankstein

BASEBALL

La Russa agrees to return to Cardinals

Tony La Russa ended the usual postseason suspense, agreeing to a 16th season as St. Louis Cardinals manager.

The team announced a deal that included a mutual option for the 2012 season.

The Seattle Mariners made it official, announcing Eric Wedge as their new manager. Wedge, who received a three-year deal, will be introduced at a Tuesday news conference.

ETC.

De La Torre named Mexico soccer coach

Jose Manuel De La Torre was named as the new coach of Mexico’s national soccer team.

De La Torre’s hiring was confirmed at a meeting of Mexican club owners Monday. His selection was almost a formality after the only other contender, Victor Manuel Vucetich, dropped out of the race for personal reasons.

De La Torre, 44, who will leave his job at Mexican club Toluca, has won three Mexican league titles.

Lance Armstrong announced via Twitter that the baby he had been referring to as @cincoarmstrong had arrived. The girl — his fifth child and second with girlfriend Anna Hansen — is named Olivia Marie. Armstrong also has a son Max with Hansen as well as a son Luke and twin daughters Grace and Isabelle from his marriage to Kristin Armstrong. The seven-time Tour de France winner is the subject of a federal investigation that reportedly is tied to possible illegal doping during the time he rode for the United States Postal Service team.

—Diane Pucin