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Former Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders was arrested in Pennsylvania on June 8 on suspicion of driving under the influence and careless driving. The free-agent running back was taken into custody in Churchill Borough, near Pittsburgh, after police reportedly found him slumped over in the driver’s seat of a silver Lexus stopped in the middle of William Penn Highway, according to police documents cited by local reports.
Sanders, a former Penn State standout, now faces charges of DUI involving alcohol or a controlled substance and careless driving, Pennsylvania court records show. The incident occurred during the NFL offseason and comes as the 28-year-old running back remains a free agent.
Former Pro Bowl Running Back Miles Sanders Faces Multiple Charges After DUI Arrest
Former Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders is facing DUI and careless-driving charges stemming from a June 8 incident in Churchill Borough, Pennsylvania. The 29-year-old free agent was reportedly found in the driver’s seat of a Lexus on William Penn Highway, with an officer making several attempts to wake him. According to the criminal complaint, Sanders appeared to be “in and out of consciousness” and “extremely lethargic,” while police also alleged that his eyes were glossy and his breath smelled of alcohol.
Police said Sanders acknowledged drinking earlier that day and struggled with field sobriety tests before testing positive for alcohol on a portable breath test. Officers also reportedly found a sealed package of marijuana products inside the vehicle. Sanders was arrested and is scheduled to appear in court in September, according to CBS Pittsburgh.
The charges add another complication for Sanders, who remains unsigned ahead of the 2026 NFL season. His attorney, Phil DiLucente, told KDKA-TV, “This is a private matter that has not even reached the preliminary hearing stage and there will be no further comment,” as the case moves toward its preliminary hearing.
Who Is Miles Sanders? Everything to Know About the Former Pro Bowl Running Back
Miles Sanders is an American NFL running back currently on the free-agent market. A Pittsburgh native, Sanders starred at Woodland Hills High School before joining Penn State, where he spent three seasons from 2016 to 2018. After playing behind Saquon Barkley early in his college career, he broke out in 2018 with 1,274 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, helping establish himself as one of the top running back prospects in the country.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Sanders in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he spent four seasons with the team. His best campaign came in 2022, when he rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection as Philadelphia reached Super Bowl LVII. He later signed with the Carolina Panthers on a four-year, $25 million deal before joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. His Dallas season ended after four games because of a serious knee injury that required chondral tissue graft surgery. Sanders has since returned to football activities and worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders as he looks for another NFL opportunity.