Aldon Smith Arrested by Santa Clara Police, Released by 49ers

Update 2:00 p.m.: The Santa Clara Police Department says former 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith crashed into a parked vehicle while attempting to park himself, then caused further damage with his car door as he exited his vehicle, according to a statement the department released Friday afternoon.

Police were dispatched to the scene of the collision at 8:46 p.m., but Smith had left the scene.

The SFGate reports these details of the arrest from Santa Clara police spokesman Lt. Kurt Clarke:

Smith was parking his GMC truck when he backed into the other car, Clarke said. As he was exiting his truck, his door slammed the already damaged car, leading to the vandalism charge, Clarke said. After exchanging heated words with the car owner, Smith walked away from the scene, Clarke said.

Smith was not at the scene when officers arrived, but walked back roughly 90 minutes later and was identified as the individual responsible for the damage, Clarke said. Smith also exhibited signs of being under the influence of alcohol, he said.

Clarke said Smith lives in the apartment complex where the incident occurred.

The 49ers had 12 arrests or charges filed involving seven players since January 2012, prompting owner Jed York to promise the team would "win with class." The Niners released defensive tackle Ray McDonald late last season for his off-field problems.

"If one person out there reads this and you're struggling, get help," an emotional head coach Jim Tomsula said Friday as he announced the team's release of Smith. "Go get it. You're worth it. There's value in every human being. Get the help. You don't have to walk alone. Find it, it's there."

Smith, who when at his best is one of the game's top pass rushers, was entering a contract year after he missed the first nine games of 2014 serving an NFL suspension for violations of the league's substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies.

In spring 2014, the 49ers exercised their 2015 option for Smith. In March, Smith restructured his contract into a more incentive-laden, team-friendly deal that gives the 49ers room if he were to get in legal trouble again.

The 25-year-old Smith missed time during the 2013 season to undergo treatment at an inpatient facility following his DUI arrest on Sept. 20, 2013. That November, he pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon, stemming from a June 2012 party at his home.

Smith was arrested on April 13, 2014 at Los Angeles International Airport. Police said Smith was randomly selected for a secondary screening and became uncooperative with the process, telling a Transportation Security Administration agent that he had a bomb. No charges were filed.

Smith emerged as one of the NFL's top pass rushers in 2012. He had a franchise-record 19 1/2 sacks that year, but failed to record a sack in his final six games, including the team's postseason Super Bowl run.

Smith finished with 8 1/2 sacks and 34 tackles in 11 games in 2013, making eight starts. In his shortened 2014 season, he had two sacks.

Tomsula hopes Smith will play football again one day.

"He has been turning his life around. He is in the process of turning his life around. People stumble," Tomsula said. "In terms of him playing football again, I sure hope so. I think he can. I want him to."

Update 11:40 a.m.: The 49ers have confirmed that they have released Aldon Smith following his latest arrest.

"This organization has tried very hard to help Aldon fight his issues. Although he is no longer a member of this team, our support and concern for him will continue,” the team said in a statement.

Via the team's Twitter account:

Original story:

Police in Northern California have arrested San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith for hit-and-run, drunken driving and vandalism.

Santa Clara police report Friday that he was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail.

The details of his arrest Thursday were not immediately available.

He was arrested two years ago on drunken driving charges. Smith missed five games in 2013 after that arrest and went into a substance abuse rehabilitation clinic.

The San Jose Mercury News reports Smith posted $26,000 bail and walked out of jail Friday morning, speaking briefly with reporters there:

"Simple as this: Justice will be served and the truth will come out. There's no DUI," Smith told reporters who were waiting for him. "And I'm sorry for anybody I let down, and I'm sorry the way this whole thing ...

"I need to speak. I want everybody to understand this wasn't a DUI. The situation that happened could have been handled differently. And I apologize to everybody I did let down and I apologize for how it all played out. As far as everything is concerned, it will work out how it's supposed to work out"

Asked what actually happened, Smith replied: "That's all. Alright? Thank you. Leave me alone."

NBC Bay Area just posted raw video of Smith's interview:

Last fall, Smith received a nine-game suspension for what the league called violations of its substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies.

Los Angeles-based Relativity Sports claims Smith as a client on its website. A representative was not immediately available for comment Friday morning.

Josh Bentley, a lawyer who represented Smith previously, also wasn't immediately available for comment Friday.

This post contains reporting from the Associated Press.