Former Penn State wrestler David P. Rella waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday after being charged with DUI in connection with an April traffic stop.
According to court documents, Rella, 20, faces two misdemeanor DUI charges -- one because he is a minor -- and a summary underage drinking charge after police pulled him over at 12:47 a.m. April 17, according to court documents.
Rella and fellow wrestlers Garrett Scott and Jared Platt were dismissed from the team May 12 after violating "team rules and the standards of the program," according to a Penn State press release.
Police stopped Rella after he failed to stop at a stop sign on Shortlidge Road, court documents state. He was pulled over on Bigler Road near the McCoy Natatorium. Police said Rella had slurred speech, bloodshot, glassy eyes and alcohol on his breath as he spoke to officers.
Police registered his blood-alcohol content at .162, twice the legal limit for of-age drivers, according to court documents. Drivers less than 21 years old are not permitted by state law to have any alcohol in their system.
Rella later told police he had consumed five cans of Natural Light earlier in the night.
Rella waived his scheduled preliminary hearing Wednesday and will proceed to trial on an unspecified date.
