Report: U-M player crashed car of AD’s family

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan guard Zavier Simpson reportedly crashed a vehicle registered to the wife of the Wolverines’ athletic director late last month, shortly before the school announced he was suspended for a game.

MLive, citing a police report, reported Thursday that officers found Simpson outside the vehicle around 3 a.m. on Jan. 26. The car had made contact with a pole and street sign. An officer said he did not notice any smell of intoxicant from Simpson’s breath.

According to the police report, Simpson told officers his name was Jeff Jackson Simpson, and that he had been walking down the street and noticed the crashed vehicle. When officers recognized him and asked why he had given a different name, Simpson said he didn’t want to be involved with the crash report.

Simpson told police the car belonged to Evan Manuel, a student manager for the basketball team who is the son of athletic director Warde Manuel.

Police said Chrislan Manuel, Warde Manuel’s wife and the registered owner of the car, spoke with Evan and told police that Simpson had been driving. When interviewed by an investigator, Simpson said he drove the car into a pole because of icy conditions.

Simpson received a citation for driving too fast for conditions.

Michigan announced Jan. 27 that Simpson, a senior who is second in the nation with 8.2 assists per game, was suspended for an unspecified violation of team policy. He missed one game before returning.

“We have addressed this situation with Zavier and continue to move forward,” a Michigan basketball spokesman said Thursday in a statement, according to MLive.

“We viewed his situation as an educational opportunity for him as well as the rest of the team.”

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