Britt Suspended After DWI Arrest

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas reserve guard Marcus Britt has been suspended indefinitely from the basketball program after being arrested for driving while intoxicated in Forrest City early Saturday morning.

Arkansas coach John Pelphrey wasn’t available for comment Monday, but said in a statement released by the university that the 6-foot-3 junior has been suspended “from all team related activities for a violation of team rules.”

“He is a representative of the University of Arkansas and our basketball program, and needless to say, we are disappointed,” the statement read. “He is still a part of our team, but the expectations of being a Razorback include meeting high standards on the court and off the court.”

Britt, 21, was pulled over by Forrest City Police after running through a stop sign in a 2007 blue Ford Mustang at 2:40 a.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report obtained by The Morning News. The car is registered to Martin and Meagan Rinker of Elkins.

The arresting officer said he could “smell a strong odor of intoxicants” when he approached the vehicle and, when was asked for identification, Britt handed over his student identification and an Arkansas identification. He told the arresting officer he left his driver’s license at home.

A background check revealed that Britt’s license was suspended.

According to St. Francis County District Court documents, the suspension was issued because Britt had failed to pay a speeding ticket issued on May 13, 2007. An arrest warrant had been issued on June 14, 2007, for failure to appear as a result of the speeding ticket.

Britt failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody. The arresting officer also found an open bottle of beer between the passenger and driver’s seats.

Britt’s blood alcohol level registered at .09 at the scene and .113 at the Forrest City Police Department, according to the report. The legal limit in Arkansas’ is .08.

Britt was charged with DWI, driving on a suspended license, failure to stop at a stop sign, no insurance and failure to appear for the speeding ticket in 2007.

He was released from jail at 4:45 a.m. after posting $1,930 bond. Britt’s court date is set for June 18.

When contacted Monday, Meagan Rinker, a UA student, confirmed that she owns the Mustang. She let Britt take it for the weekend to go home and visit his family in Madison.

“We’re friends and I let him borrow it,” Meagan Rinker said. “I didn’t know (his license was suspended).”

Last season, Britt started eight games for the Razorbacks, averaging 18.9 minutes in 30 appearances. He was 40-of-85 from the floor, including 15-of-30 from 3-point range, and averaged 3.7 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.