Highland Park Basketball Star Arrested For Alleged DWI
David Matthew Allen was arrested for alleged DWI in University Park Saturday night, police reports indicate.
The 18-year-old was allegedly driving his black 2005 Chevy Tahoe in the 6300 block of Hillcrest Avenue when he struck a white 2007 BMW 325i, then fled the scene. After fielding a call from a resident who witnessed the incident, University Park police pulled Allen over in the 3800 block of Greenbrier. An officer allegedly smelled alcohol on the teen’s breath, and found vehicle damage consistent with the witness’ report.
Allen blew .115 and .122 in Intoxilyzer tests, a police affidavit states.
Allen averages 22 points for the Scots this year, and was ready to lead the team against Newman Smith tonight.
HPISD spokeswoman Helen Williams confirmed the report, then stated that the district’s extracurricular code of conduct would not allow “the player” to play in a game tonight. When discussing the school-sanctioned consequences for a DWI, Williams, citing the district’s privacy regulations, would not mention Allen specifically.
For the illegal consumption of alcohol (first offense), the code of conduct reads:
Suspension from current or nearest competitive season or activity for a minimum
of one week or 10% of the season, whichever is greater, up to a maximum of 3
weeks or 30% of the season, whichever is greater.
If the Scots win tonight without Allen, he would also be suspended for Friday’s game against the winner of tonight’s Kimball-Hillcrest game, per the policy. Allen was also charged with duty on striking an unattended vehicle.
124 comments to "Highland Park Basketball Star Arrested For Alleged DWI"
Can’t kids just say no to drinking?
Sucks for this kid, but he’s not the only one doing it. The DMN has this posted as one of their top stories along with his picture. I’m sure it’s because he’s from HP; it wouldn’t be up there if it was a lesser known school.
according to this chart based on his Bac of 0.122, that’s 9 drinks in 5 hours….8 drinks in 3 hours…. or six drinks in one hour.
Pick your poison.
Hello?
I’m sure he’s a good kid who made a mistake, at least I hope so. I’m also sure HPHS has a drinking problem.
I know not to walk my dog late at night on Friday’s or Saturday’s, too many kids and parents driving drunk around here. Yes, parents too.
Teenagers have always felt invincible, but I feel that some local parents are also feeling invincible—which shouldn’t be the case.
Coral I agree with you – hopefully getting busted will be the best thing for him and also teach others.
-He is a minor and was drinking. Strike 1.
-He decided to drive while drunk. Strike 2.
-He decided that after getting into a wreck in his dad’s car that he should flee the scene of the crime. Strike 3.
Bad kid that now has a chance to mend his ways to become a good kid.
I say he should get a trophy. Everyone’s a winner!
My graduating class was involved in the infamous warehouse party. They rewrote the code of conduct for us.
The more active kids have more to lose when they make bad decisions. This kid is lucky that he will learn tough lessons now rather than later. I hope other students will think twice before they make similar bad decisions.
There is a huge drinking problem at HPHS. Is it worse than other schools? I think so, it was when I went there.
she knows where i am at all times because i tell her. she doesn’t have to snoop on me because i make sure she’s informed. family should trust each other. don’t assume people are just going to lie to family. maybe you need to reevaluate your relationships, but don’t assume every family is like yours.
1. Possession or use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia.
and the MINIMUM CONSEQUENCE is:
1.First Offense
a Suspension from current or nearest competitive season or activity for a period of 3 weeks or 30% of the season.
b. The student may self-report to his coach/sponsor and receive a lessor suspension of 2 weeks 20% of the season.
c. In addition, if the student holds an office , elected or appointed, the student will be removed from the office. Elected or appointed offices shall include, but not be limited to : captain and player committee members of athletic teams, student council officers, cheerleader officers, drill team officers and lieutenants, and club officers. Upon completion of the suspension, the student may participate in extracurricular activities but may not serve as an officer or be appointed to an office for the remainder of the school year.
So. Who wants to call the the front office tomorrow and ask why the rule of “2 weeks minimum” doesn’t apply to this child, assuming that he self-reported his arrest on Monday?
Also, @momof 4 didn’t want us to label this child Turns out he already had a label. It was “Captain”. Can we assume that in accordance with the above detailed “c” consequence, he has been relieved of this duty?
The school, and that includes most, but not all coaches, doesn’t want to enforce the rules it sets forth any more than many of the parents in this community.
Coral, There is an additional pledge, the Scots Athlete Agreement. Not sure if Basketball uses it, but Lacrosse and maybe Baseball have in the past.
SCOT ATHLETE AGREEMENT
It is a privilege and an honor to be a member of a Highland Park Athletic Team. Being a member of the team is not only a position of honor, but also one of responsibility and accountability. A Scot Athlete is expected to be a role model. A Scot Athlete must make a commitment to the following:
1. Abstain from the use of illegal chemical substances including drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and maintain a positive and healthy training and competitive regimen. Sign and adhere to the HPISD Extra- and Co-Curricular Pledge.
2. Follow the spirit and letter of the rules and regulations of the Highland Park Independent School District at all times.
3. Attend with punctuality all classes, scheduled practices, and meetings.
4. Maintain a passing grade in all academic classes for both six weeks and semester from the beginning of the year to the end of the year during my tenure as an athlete.
5. Treat teachers, coaches, peers, and competitors with respect. Refrain from the use of profanity, poor sportsmanship, and hazing.
6. Be a positive role model for my teammates and classmates, in my attitude, appearance, and behavior.
7. Treat HPISD and competitors’ facilities and equipment with care and respect.
Respect the property of your fellow athletes.
8. Communicate and demonstrate to teammates and coaches my expectations for the team.
9. Follow with trust and commitment the decisions of the Head Coach.
As a member of a Highland Park Athletic Team, I ______________________ voluntarily pledge to follow the commitments stated above. I understand that failure to satisfactorily fulfill those commitments may lead to my removal as a member of a Highland Park Athletic Team.
Member_________________________ Date ________________________
In recognition of ______________________________’s commitment to the being a Scot Athlete, we the undersigned pledge our loyalty and support in helping him/her honor those commitments.
Parent ____________________________ Parent _________________________
Coach ____________________________ Date __________________________
” ….plus as a past 18 year old student it’s VERY easy to have a drink and drive…”
? ? ?
The administration is clearly just trying to wait until the team loses in the playoffs so they can use the excuse that the season is over when not pulling his Captain’s “C”. The administration apparently only enforces the rules when they want. Should be minimum 2 weeks if he self-reported and he should be stripped of his “C”.
I didn’t know exactly how many games were in a basketball season, but it looks like they have at least 30 final scores this season, so by “whichever is is greater” the MINIMUM of 10% looks actually more like 3 weeks. And, given that this isn’t really one offense but several (as Avid Reader pointed out), I don’t really think the minimum should apply. He drank as a minor, he drove drunk, he hit a car and fled the scene, and he lied to an officer.
Blah blah blah fabulous administration blah blah blah great kids. Yeah, we have both. This particular one is getting a lesson in responsibility and hopefully humility. He needs it. Best thing ever for him and his peers. We know we have a great school, but we shouldn’t use that as an excuse to sweep this under the rug.
However, I never said he shouldn’t be punished or face the music. I am glad he was caught – and he should have been.
This was a serious crime and there should be consequences that are severe enough to make him and others pay attention to the law.
My parents would have let my butt sit in a cold jail cell for SEVERAL hours.
When I did get home, I wouldn’t be going off to bed. I’d be explaining every detail of my actions to my parents and forming some idea of the consequences.
Sunday afternoon, I would have been on the phone to the coach giving my apology and resigning my position on the team.
Monday morning, my parents and I would be sitting waiting to speak to the principal for me to make him aware of my actions and accept any punishment.
Monday during practice, I would look my teammates in the face and explain why I was no longer playing with the team.
My parents would have ripped me out of every nonacademic extracurricular that I had. I would issue an apology to each.
My parents and I would NOT speak to the press aside from saying it was a family matter and offer my sincere apology for my actions.
I would go before a judge and take whatever criminal punishment I was given.
I would work to pay off any monetary debt myself.
The focus would not be on my sport or scholarships or that I was a good kid. I would be a kid that messed up big time having to face every single bit of it head on.
I would become a mature responsible adult. I would realize that my actions had consequences not just for me but my parents, teachers, coaches, teammates, and entire community.
I wouldn’t drink irresponsibly or illegally.I would have learned my lesson.
Why do I know this would have happened? Uh, it did. Only, all I did was get in the car with some kids that had been drinking. The driver wasn’t drunk, but he rolled through a stop sign. I got to issue apologies to everybody. I let people down, but I grew up.
Your audience is more varied than you realize.
Sorry he made a series of bad decisions, but these are the consequences. This is news worthy. He risked lives other than his own. He will grow up and move on, but yeah, this is potentially life changing. Which, is far far better than life ending.
Another thing, if you all think that arguing with high schoolers who say things like “I like to ride the sidewalk and do 50 in school zones” is going to do anything, then you are a complete idiot. These kids are just messing around and are trying to get a rise out of you all.
HP does not have a drinking problem. All high schools drink like we do and our drug problem isn’t even close to what it’s like in schools like Allen or Coppel.
David is a great kid (who I know personally) so stop judging him. Just because he made a bad decision doesn’t mean he’s a bad person.
Really? The high school bloggers are just messing with us? Wow, thanks, I didn’t realize that.
And thanks for letting us know that HP does not have a drinking problem, especially with all of the data you provided to show us that Allen and Coppel do. Funny thing though, I bet those kids would say the same thing as you, they don’t have a drinking problem, just kids being kids. But those HP kids, THEY have a drinking problem.
It’s not “judging” someone when it’s true. I wouldn’t give a rip if he was underage and drinking in someones basement. That’s a decision better left to his parents. But the second he drove down OUR streets endangering OUR kids and OUR community, and crashes into OUR cars, then yeh, I’ll “judge”. The second he did that it becomes a community issue rather than a family one. And when OUR high school doesn’t adequately punish him, then it’s OUR business.
Here’s an idea HPHS. You don’t want your drunken, dangerous, and idiotic behavior written about on a blog?
DON’T BE DRUNKEN, DANGEROUS IDIOTS.
I know this is complicated for the kids. I mean, adults are were dropped on the planet and have no concept of what it is like to be a teenager. It’s not like we were teens once. We couldn’t possibly have had classmates that ruined college careers based on drinking that started in high school. Nobody knows any adult alcoholics that began with heavy party drinking. I’m sure nobody knew kids that were seriously injured or lost their lives due to drinking and driving (I mean, I can only think of 3, so like, no biggie). I’m sure none of the adults here might have made unwise decisions that they wish somebody bothered to step in and stop . . . I mean really. Clearly the adults know nothing. We are all Park Cities mommies boozing it up and laughing at the wee little ones that can’t partake in the intoxicating goodness.
Come on kid, like some tired argument that has been use for 25+ continuous years in the state of Texas is going to make us all see this your way. We have seen it your way. We were there once. We’ve lost classmates and friends. We’ve seen people waste their potential with a habit that started in the very same high school you now attend.
We’ve gained knowledge, experience, and maturity in the years since being teenagers. Have you ever heard that hindsight sight is 20/20? Well kid, you need glasses.
Or do news organizations request dash cam video because they know it probably exists and might hold relevant info?
Seriously?
Is it “power” when your mommy and daddy pay for your cars, clothes, education, and beer? Do you think David Allen felt “power” watching his mom on WFAA clutching her CVS bag, defending him? Do you think that was “power” watching David Allen bargaining with a cop?
Run along now, and watch “Spy Kids” again. Feel powerful. You’ll come down to earth by the age of 30.
Where is the fairness in that policy? You play more if you get a dwi than if you make a 69 in a class when you may be trying your hardest and not impacting anyone but yourself!
Avid Reader you’re an idiot
@Yoyo he should tell the truth.
Cop: Have you been drinking?
Kid: Yes officer. I'm sorry.
Cop: How much have you had?
Kid: I had _ drinks. I thought I could handle it.
Cop: Obviously not. You hit a parked car & fled.
Kid: yes sir, I know. I was scared.
Cop: I'm going to have to arrest you.
Kid: I understand. I'm really sorry.
Thanks kids! You are keeping the attention on this story!
I absolutely understand why you can’t wrap your head around these concepts. Your brain won’t be fully developed until you are in your 20s. That is, if you live that long or don’t do irreversible damage.
“Duke University researchers scanned the brains of teens recovering from drinking problems. They found that the teens who drank a lot had a smaller prefrontal cortex than those who did not.
The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for judgment— planning ahead—critical thinking. Dr. Michael Fishman, the director of the adult addiction medicine program at Ridgeview Institute in metro-Atlanta says, “If you have a prefrontal cortex
that does not mature as it’s supposed to as an adolescent and young adult, it could possibly impede many different areas of our lives. We could become more impulsive, have poor decision-making, our judgment could be off, and we might not be able to learn as well as other people.”
And— the research suggests— the damage is permanent.”
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