Joe Monty, a starting defensive end for the Wisconsin Badgers football team and UW-Madison senior, suffered serious facial injuries after a motor-vehicle accident early Friday. Monty had allegedly been drinking beforehand.
The 22-year-old, entering his senior season with the Badgers, failed to stop at a traffic light while heading south on North Park Street approaching Dayton Street and crashed into the rear of a car at approximately 2 a.m. Friday, according to a police statement. Monty was not wearing a helmet.
Madison Police Department Public Information Officer Mike Hanson told the Associated Press that Monty suffered many facial fractures, head trauma and lacerations to his face and legs. However, the injuries were not considered life threatening.
Officials told the AP that Monty was at UW Hospital and Clinics, and that his family prevented the release of his condition, citing federal confidentiality laws.
We were told he was lucky to be alive and his face had severe trauma,\ Hanson told the AP.
Hanson also said it appeared Monty had been drinking before the crash and will probably face a drunken-driving citation. The driver of the car, not injured in the accident, may also face similar charges.
Monty started all but one of the Badgers' 13 games last year. The Fort Collins, Colo. native finished 10th on the team with 30 tackles during the 2005 season. He also picked up 3.5 sacks on the year.
Monty, a fifth-year student, was set to beat out UW-Madison junior Kurt Ware as the No. 1 defensive end on new head coach Bret Bielema's depth chart.
Athletic Department spokesperson Justin Doherty offered no comment on the accident.
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