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William Frawley at a news conference last year after |
UPDATE: Police this morning released more details in Frawley case
University of Mary Washington President William Frawley was arrested on drunken-driving charges yesterday following a chain of events that began with a traffic accident the day before that sent him to a hospital in Northern Virginia.
Frawley, 53, was arrested yesterday afternoon outside his home on a DUI charge and refusal to take a Breathalyzer test, city police say.
A witness said Frawley crossed the Chatham Bridge in a car with a missing front wheel. She told a 911 operator that he was driving recklessly in front of her, police said.
UMW officials issued a statement to the media and students that said Frawley had been involved in a traffic accident in Northern Virginia on Tuesday. He was admitted to Inova Fairfax Hospital but left yesterday morning against advice, they said in a statement.
A top college official said there must be an explanation for the incident.
"It just is so out of character," board of visitors member Mona Albertine said.
Students and faculty also were shocked by the news.
"He certainly doesn't strike me as someone who would behave foolishly," said professor Mary Rigsby, president-elect of the faculty senate.
University Rector Bill Poole declined to comment.
Fredericksburg police saw the car on Amelia Street, near the intersection of Princess Anne Street, about 2 p.m. They activated their police lights and followed the vehicle.
Spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said the driver didn't stop until arriving at Brompton, the UMW president's official home, about 10 blocks away.
But she didn't classify it as a pursuit and said the driver was going below the speed limit.
Frawley was taken into custody at Brompton on suspicion of drunken driving, Bledsoe said. She said he appeared to be intoxicated and would not take a Breathalyzer test.
Frawley had what appeared to be a superficial head injury at the time of his arrest, Bledsoe said.
City police would not discuss the Northern Virginia accident and details of that accident were not immediately available. Fairfax Hospital confirmed that Frawley was admitted there but did not provide additional details.
Other than the missing wheel, the car did not appear to be damaged, Bledsoe said.
Frawley was taken to the magistrate's office about 2:10 p.m. He was charged with the two misdemeanor offenses.
About 2:45 p.m. yesterday, Bledsoe said, Frawley was taken to Mary Washington Hospital for treatment of the head injury.
Last night, Bledsoe said, Frawley was being admitted to the hospital. He was given a personal recognizance bond.
Before coming to UMW last year, Frawley served as dean of the college of arts and sciences at George Washington University. He is married with two children.
Senior Andrew Lamar called the news of Frawley's arrest "awful."
"We'll have to wait and see what happens," he said. "But man, that's just not what you expect to hear because I think a lot of folks are really pleased with the job he's doing."
Junior Phil Arnone said he doesn't think the university should fire him for the charges.
"It's not our job to discipline people for breaking the law unless it was directly related to the school," he said.
Still, Arnone said, "This is going to go down in the institutional memory."
Bill Freehling: 540/374-5424|
University of Mary Washington President William J. Frawley was in an automobile accident [Tuesday] in Northern Virginia and was admitted to Fairfax Inova Hospital. He insisted on leaving the hospital early in the morning, against advice, and returned to Fredericksburg.
Earlier [yesterday], President Frawley was involved in another incident, the police were involved, and he is currently at Mary Washington Hospital for medical care. |
---UMW statement
