An arrest has been made in connection to the death of a former Oregon football player, the Eugene Register-Guard and The Oregonian are reporting.
Ex-Ducks linebacker Fotu Leiato was found dead early Friday morning as the result of what was described as a single-car accident. Pedro Chavarin Jr. was the driver of a vehicle that rolled over and crashed in Eugene; at the time, the 22-year-old UO student told police that he was the only occupant of the vehicle.
While Chavarin was initially charged with DUII, one count of first-degree manslaughter has since been added as Leiato’s body was found hours after the crash. According to police, the 21-year-old Leiato had been a passenger in Chavarin’s Kia sedan at the time of the wreck.
According to The Oregonian, Chavarin faces a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted of first-degree manslaughter.
Leiato played in 37 games the past three seasons for the Ducks. He was dismissed from the football program in April after the second of his two arrests this offseason.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Fotu, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time,” a statement from the university at the time of Leiato’s passing began. “He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.”