WCIA 3 Exclusive: 911 caller talks after UI Basketball Player Crashes His Car

A University of Illinois student was the only one who called 911 after she saw U of I Basketball Player Jamar Smith drive up. At the time the 20 year old witness did not know who was in the car, but we now know the driver was Jamar Smith, and the passenger was U of I basketball teammate Brian Carlwell.
    The witness says she was looking outside the window when she saw Smith's car drive pass and park at the lot at College Park Fields in Savoy. She says she didn't see anything suspicious until Smith's car turned, and saw how damaged it was. She describes as "the whole side of the car was smashed in, i couldn't believe that he could still drive it." She said Smith was talking to someone in the car. "He was yelling, hey wake up, get out of the car, let's go, that's when we assumed there was someone in the car." She says she and a friend offered Smith help, but he said no. She said by looking at the damage, she still called for help. The Champaign County States Attorney says she was the only one to call 911 that night.
    Before emergency crews arrived, the witness says Smith took off to an apartment nearby. She says she saw him, "go east and come back with someone, but he didn't come back to the car all the way half way." She then said Smith took off again, heading north. She thought he was going for help, but he never came back. She says she's surprised a friend, let alone teammate, would leave another hurt inside a car.
    With Smith away from his car, the 20 year old witness says it seemed like Carlwell was looking for help. She says, "the passenger turned on the hazard lights and he was honking the horn as well." By that time, police starting arriving. She said it appeared Carlwell was conscious but he did seemed out of it. She says crews had to pull him out of the driver's side because of the extensive damage on the passenger side. The witness says just looking back at the damage she's still in shock, "I'm still very surprised Brian is alive."    
    Smith is charged with Aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. The Champaign County States Attorney says it's too early to say what Smith's punishment will be, but says the crime is punishment up to 12 years behind bars. The U of I Sports Department says athletes have their own code of conduct to follow under their sport, but that's on top of the school's code. The University's code says students found violating the state's liquor laws will face student discipline. Under the rules, if alcohol use results in incapacitation that requires emergency crews to take you to the hospital it can lead to mandatory assessment..