TULSA, Okla. — Eddie Sutton may have coached his last game, a 35-year career possibly ending six victories short of 800 because of a traffic accident in which he was injured and cited for driving under the influence.
Oklahoma State announced Monday that Sutton, 69, would take a medical leave and that Sean Sutton, his son and designated heir apparent, will finish this season as coach. The school said no decision had been made about next season.
"After Friday's events, I know it is best to go on medical leave the remainder of the season to address my future health," he said.
Eddie Sutton spent the night in the hospital with a head injury following Friday's accident in Stillwater.
Witnesses described Sutton's sports utility vehicle as driving dangerously and erratically, forcing cars to swerve out of the way before he hit another SUV from behind at about 60 mph, according to police reports released Monday.
One witness at the accident scene told police that Sutton seemed confused, responded angrily to questions and had a "slight fruity odor" on his breath. The same witness reported seeing a bottle of prescription hydrocodone, a narcotic painkiller, on the seat of Sutton's SUV.
Stillwater police cited Sutton after the accident but did not jail him on a complaint of driving under the influence because of a lack of physical evidence, the city's police chief said Monday.