Ex-Charger Linebacker Junior Seau Drives Off Cliff

Former Chargers linebacker Junior Seau was arrested early today on suspicion of domestic violence, then drove his Cadillac sport utility vehicle off a coastal cliff in Carlsbad after bailing out of jail, authorities said.

Emergency crews responding to a 911 call found Seau, 41, on the beach below Carlsbad Boulevard and Solamar Avenue about 8:45 a.m., according to Carlsbad police Lt. Paul Mendes.

Seau, the sole occupant of the white 2004 SUV, was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital for treatment of apparently minor injuries.

Late Sunday evening, Seau’s 25-year-old live-in girlfriend called police from the couple’s home on South Strand in Oceanside and alleged that he had assaulted her during an argument, according to police in the North County city.

Seau was not at the home when officers arrived, but called his girlfriend a short time later and agreed to come back to the residence, Lt. Leonard Mata said. Shortly after midnight, he returned and was arrested without incident. He was booked about 2 a.m., then posted bail and was released roughly 90 minutes later, according to jail officials.

The woman suffered superficial injuries that did not require medical treatment, Mata said.

The cause of Seau’s solo traffic crash was unclear, though police said there was no evidence that he was intoxicated at the time and apparently was not in a suicidal state of mind.

The 12-time Pro Bowl player, who established Seau’s Restaurant in Mission Valley 14 years ago and subsequently opened another eatery in Temecula, was a standout athlete at the University of Southern California.

He played for the Chargers from 1990 to 2002, the Miami Dolphins from 2003 to 2005 and the New England Patriots from 2006 to 2009.

Seau has not officially retired from professional football, though early this year he announced his intention to do so in the near future.