Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey faced a stern talking-to from an Indiana state trooper after body camera footage revealed he was driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph during a traffic stop this past May.
The Traffic Stop Breakdown
The 23-year-old Canadian big man, a Purdue University alum, got pulled over in Tippecanoe County, Indiana for allegedly cruising at 101 mph through a 55 mph zone. The officer didn’t mince words, jumping straight to the point: “You know exactly why I pulled you over. You were going 101!”
Edey’s Defense Falls Flat
When pressed for an explanation, Edey claimed he’d sped up to overtake a slower-moving vehicle. The trooper wasn’t buying it, delivering a no-nonsense reality check about the dangers and illogic behind such reckless behavior. “No, you don’t pass at 100! The road is 55. You were going almost double the speed limit!” she fired back.
The officer made it clear that even aggressive passing shouldn’t exceed around 80 mph, calling 100 mph completely out of bounds regardless of circumstances. She also pointed out that Edey had already been speeding before attempting his ill-fated pass, which enabled him to hit such dangerous velocities.
Legal Consequences
Following the standard protocol of license and registration checks, Edey walked away with two citations: speeding and reckless driving. The trooper explained that the reckless driving charge carried potential jail time, though she opted against an immediate arrest. Her parting advice was simple but direct: “Slow down.”
Case Closed
TMZ reports that Edey worked out a deal with prosecutors on July 23 to put the matter behind him. He entered a guilty plea on the speeding violation and agreed to fork over $639.50 in fines. The more serious misdemeanor reckless driving charge got tossed as part of his plea arrangement.
Radio Silence from Edey
So far, Zach Edey has remained tight-lipped about the whole ordeal. Whether the Memphis Grizzlies or the NBA plan any internal discipline remains up in the air.
During his rookie campaign, the former first-round selection put up solid numbers with 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds across 70 games, including postseason action, establishing himself as a reliable contributor for Memphis.
