Two New Jersey state troopers have been suspended without pay after being accused of escorting a caravan of high-performance cars, in which San Francisco 49ers running back Brandon Jacobs reportedly took part, on a 100-mph trip down the Garden State Parkway.
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An agent for Jacobs said his client was part of a group of car owners who took the trip to Atlantic City, but he wouldn't say if Jacobs participated in the caravan, according to The Star-Ledger, which first reported the alleged incident.
The state attorney general's office announced the suspensions of Sgt. 1st Class Nadir Nassry and Trooper Joseph Ventrella on Monday. Nassry has been with the state police for 25 years, Ventrella for six years.
Nassry's attorney, Charles Sciarra, said reports of speeding and reckless driving are exaggerated. It wasn't immediately known if Ventrella had an attorney.
Witnesses complained to the state turnpike authority. They said speeding Ferraris, Lamborghinis and other cars weaved in and out of traffic, escorted by two state police cars with flashing lights March 30.
"We will not tolerate any conduct by a member of the State Police that puts the public in jeopardy, as this unauthorized caravan had the potential to do," attorney general Jeffrey S. Chiesa said.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said the alleged state trooper escort was a "dumb thing to do."
Sciarra contended that the incident had been blown out of proportion and charitable organizations "routinely ask and receive escorts from the State Police to and from the various charitable functions they attend with their exotic vehicles." It wasn't immediately clear if the trip was connected to a charitable event.
Jacobs, a seven-year veteran who had played his entire career with the New York Giants, signed with 49ers in March. He is known to be a fan of high-powered cars -- Rides Magazine featured him in its October edition, where he discussed a collection that includes a 700-horsepower Nissan GT-R and a Mercedes S63.
Jacobs rushed for 571 yards and seven touchdowns on 152 carries last season, when the Giants won the Super Bowl.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
