Arrington hurt in crash of cycle; surgery required

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Former Washington Redskins star LaVar Arrington was seriously hurt yesterday when he crashed his motorcycle into a guardrail, breaking at least one bone and adding another setback to a once brilliant career beset by injuries and hard luck.

Arrington, who turns 29 tomorrow, apparently lost control of his high-powered, 2007 Kawasaki ZX-14 motorcycle at about 1 p.m. when it skidded on gravel and crashed on the ramp that leads from westbound Route 50 to northbound Interstate 495.

He was taken by ambulance to Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly where he is being treated for injuries not considered life threatening, Maryland State Police said.

Carl Poston, an agent for Arrington, said his client was being treated for a broken arm and possibly other broken bones. He went into surgery at about 6 p.m.

"It's always lucky when you can survive a motorcycle accident," said Mr. Poston. "I'm just glad to know the doctors are very upbeat about his condition."

Arrington was joined at the hospital by family members, including a female cousin who said he was "in good spirits."

Mr. Poston said he didn't know Arrington even had a motorcycle until receiving word about the accident.

"This is my first knowledge of him even having" one, he said.

Arrington was wearing a helmet, and no alcohol was involved, police said. He was issued two citations -- one for operating a motorcycle without the proper license, and one for the accident. Police have not said how fast Arrington was going.

The location of the crash is close to FedEx Field, where Arrington, taken second overall by Washington in the 2000 college draft, played for the Redskins for the first six years of his career.