PITTSBURGH STEELERS Roethlisberger will be fined $388; WR Holmes arrested again

ASSOCIATED PRESS
PITTSBURGH -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not have a valid motorcycle license when he crashed into a woman's car last week, and the driver -- who will be cited for failing to yield -- has received threatening phone calls.
Roethlisberger will be issued $388 in fines and fees for riding without a license and not wearing a helmet, police Collision Investigator Dan Connolly said Monday. Only licensed motorcyclists are allowed to ride bareheaded in Pennsylvania, with certain restrictions.
The Super Bowl champion quarterback rammed his Suzuki Hayabusa into a woman's Chrysler New Yorker on June 12 when she was making a left turn in front of him. Both had the green light.
Roethlisberger underwent seven hours of surgery to repair a broken jaw and other facial bones. Tests showed no brain injuries, although he had a mild concussion; he also lost two teeth and chipped several others.
"I think because of Mr. Roethlisberger's size and his athletic ability and the fact that he works out as a professional athlete had a huge part in the fact that he's still with us," Connolly said.
Harassment
The woman, who will be cited for failing to yield to oncoming traffic and fined $106.50, has received threatening phone calls since the accident, police chief Dominic Costa said. She filed a police report and the calls were being investigated.
Roethlisberger was traveling at the speed limit in a posted 35 mph zone, but he braked and hit the car at a slower speed, he said, and there were no mechanical problems with either vehicle. Both will be sent summary citations.
To obtain a motorcycle license in Pennsylvania, riders must first get a learner's permit, which requires a $10 fee, a vision screening and a written test. The permit is valid for one year, during which a road test must be passed to obtain a full motorcycle license.
Only after two years of possessing a valid license is riding without a helmet allowed; that restriction is waived if the rider takes an approved safety course.
No influence
Police did not have any contact with Steelers officials during the investigation, Connolly said.
"This was no different than any other crash," Connolly said. "We found our determinations and determined that the parties needed to be cited and that's what we're doing."
In an interview with ESPN radio Monday morning, coach Bill Cowher said there is no way of knowing what effect Roethlisberger's injuries would have on his playing ability.
"That's the thing we have to be very sensitive to and we have to make sure that we monitor -- and we'll do that," Cowher said. "We'll work with the doctors. We'll talk to him."
He did not criticize Roethlisberger for not wearing a helmet, something he had done last year.
"I think it would be very unfair, and I think it's really irrelevant, to be judgmental about the accident itself," Cowher said.
Holmes charged with assault
COLUMBUS -- Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes was charged early Monday with assaulting a woman, his second arrest since he was chosen in the first round of the NFL draft.
Holmes was arrested at an apartment just after midnight and taken to the Franklin County jail, Sgt. Loucious Hollis said. The 22-year-old player is to remain in jail until his arraignment today on charges of domestic violence and simple assault, both misdemeanors.
Police received a call from a female who said the father of her child had assaulted her, police spokesman Sgt. Michael Woods said. While the officers were making their report at the apartment, Holmes returned and was arrested. Police would not release the woman's name or details about what Holmes was accused of doing.
Holmes, who is from Belle Glade, Fla., was arrested in Miami Beach, Fla., on a charge of disorderly conduct during Memorial Day weekend.
COPYRIGHT 2006 ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN, OR REDISTRIBUTED.