About a week after signing the richest contract in Buffalo Sabres history, center Ryan O'Reilly was arrested and charged with driving while impaired and leaving the scene of an accident after crashing into a Tim Hortons restaurant in Lucan, Ontario.
The incident occurred at about 4 a.m. last Thursday and was announced on Monday by Ontario Provincial Police's Middlesex County detachment.
According to the report, police say O'Reilly continued to drive the vehicle after crashing into the building before abandoning it and leaving on foot with a passenger.
O'Reilly was charged and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 20.
"We are aware of the reports regarding the incident involving Ryan O'Reilly last week," Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement released by the team. "We are currently in the process of gathering more information and will have no further comment until we have spoken with all parties involved."
The 24-year-old O'Reilly had 17 goals and 38 assists while playing 82 games for the Colorado Avalanche last season.
O'Reilly signed a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension with the Sabres on July 2 after being acquired from the Avalanche in a major draft-day deal. O'Reilly and center Jamie McGinn were traded to Buffalo in exchange for center Mikhail Grigorenko, defenseman Nikita Zadorov, left winger J.T. Compher and the No. 31 overall pick in the draft.
