Philadelphia 76ers player Kelly Oubre Jr. was involved in a car accident that has prompted an internal investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department, according to a report from TMZ.
The incident, which occurred Monday night, involved Oubre’s Lamborghini and another vehicle.
Authorities reported that Oubre’s vehicle ran a red light before colliding with the other car. Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.
Despite the apparent traffic violation, Oubre was not issued a ticket at the scene, nor was he subjected to a breathalyzer or blood test to determine if he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
This lack of action has led to speculation about whether Oubre received preferential treatment due to being a star player on the 76ers. The police department’s Internal Affairs Division is now conducting an investigation to address those concerns.
Oubre was able to participate in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks following the accident. After the game, he mentioned considering hiring a personal driver, hinting at changes following the crash.
“Everything is good,” Oubre told reporters Thursday night. “I’m OK. The people that were involved are OK. I need to probably get a driver or something and just stay off the roads, (not) be behind the wheel. But everything is good. I still was able to do my job, support my family, and things are good.”
The 76ers got the win in Game 3 of their series against the New York Knicks. The 76ers still face a 2-1 deficit in the series and will have to win Game 4 if they want to even it up. Oubre put up solid numbers in Game 3, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes of playing time.
The real star of the game was big man Joel Embiid, who dropped 50 points in a masterclass despite dealing with multiple health issues.
As for the ongoing investigation, the internal findings could lead to unforeseen impacts on Oubre’s availability and, by extension, the Sixers’ playoff hopes.
It will be very interesting to see whether this story gets any more updates or if it simply goes away.
