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Tennessee defensive lineman Mahelona takes on fire truck
By RANDY KENNER, kenner@knews.com
March 15, 2005
A University of Tennessee football player whose apartment caught on fire may face a vandalism charge after he allegedly damaged a Knoxville Fire Department engine early Sunday.
Jesse Mahelona, 21, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is listed as the suspect in a Knoxville Police Department report filed in connection with the incident.
At the time the KFD was working a fire at a condominium complex just off UT's campus.
Police were summoned to 2218 Lake Avenue about 2 a.m. on a vandalism call, KPD spokesman Darrell DeBusk said.
The fire apparently had started some time earlier Sunday.
According to a KPD report, firefighters told an officer that Mahelona "hit a handrail that was attached to the rear of the fire truck and broke it off." Mahelona was listed as 6 feet, 2 inches and 300 pounds in UT's 2004 media guide.
The report doesn't specify how Mahelona allegedly struck the rail.
"The suspect was angry because his residence caught on fire," the police report states.
The damage to the fire truck was listed as being about $100.
"Jesse had just lost everything in a fire. He was frustrated and emotional," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "He made an attempt to apologize and he's willing to pay for the damages."
There were no charges or citations filed in the incident. DeBusk said Monday that the "Fire Department is discussing whether they will press charges."
KFD spokesman Charlie Barker said the incident was still under investigation.
Mahelona, a defensive tackle, led the SEC in tackles for loss last season.
He is listed as a sociology/criminal justice major and will be a senior this fall.
By RANDY KENNER, kenner@knews.com
March 15, 2005
A University of Tennessee football player whose apartment caught on fire may face a vandalism charge after he allegedly damaged a Knoxville Fire Department engine early Sunday.
Jesse Mahelona, 21, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is listed as the suspect in a Knoxville Police Department report filed in connection with the incident.
At the time the KFD was working a fire at a condominium complex just off UT's campus.
Police were summoned to 2218 Lake Avenue about 2 a.m. on a vandalism call, KPD spokesman Darrell DeBusk said.
The fire apparently had started some time earlier Sunday.
According to a KPD report, firefighters told an officer that Mahelona "hit a handrail that was attached to the rear of the fire truck and broke it off." Mahelona was listed as 6 feet, 2 inches and 300 pounds in UT's 2004 media guide.
The report doesn't specify how Mahelona allegedly struck the rail.
"The suspect was angry because his residence caught on fire," the police report states.
The damage to the fire truck was listed as being about $100.
"Jesse had just lost everything in a fire. He was frustrated and emotional," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "He made an attempt to apologize and he's willing to pay for the damages."
There were no charges or citations filed in the incident. DeBusk said Monday that the "Fire Department is discussing whether they will press charges."
KFD spokesman Charlie Barker said the incident was still under investigation.
Mahelona, a defensive tackle, led the SEC in tackles for loss last season.
He is listed as a sociology/criminal justice major and will be a senior this fall.
