Newly released dashcam footage and 911 audio recordings released by the Avon Police Department appear to include Johnny Manziel admitting to physically grabbing girlfriend Colleen Crowley during their highway dispute near Interstate Highway 90 last Monday.
While earlier reports indicated that alcohol was involved, Monday's developments shed light on the extent of the altercation, with Crowley claiming that the Cleveland Browns quarterback hit her “a couple times" in the car, according to a police report obtained by TMZ.
Crowley sounds distressed in the dash cam footage, relaying the incident while also making clear that she was not afraid of further harm from Manziel.
Audio from the first 911 call corroborated the claim that Manziel’s contact with Crowley was not limited to Crowley's forearm and wrist. While last week’s police report cited Crowley stating that Manziel “shoved her head into the window,” per Cleveland.com, the woman phoning 911 describes the scene as the following: "There's a lady in the passenger's seat trying to jump out … The guy is poking her, bumping her neck."
Manziel, meanwhile, claims in the dashcam footage that he “grabbed her arm” only after she threw his wallet out the window. When asked by officers if he struck or punched Crowley, Manziel responded, "No," according to the police report. “She said I was driving too crazy, trying to injure her and hurt her, which was not the case at all,” Manziel told police.
The new dashcam footage also features Manziel’s explanation of what he believes caused the altercation: After dinner and drinks, Manziel suggested getting together with a friend. Per Manziel, Crowley then became upset, saying, “You want to hang out with him so you can [see] other girls.”
Manziel told police that Crowley was both “a little mad” at him and “a little bit intoxicated.”
In the week since the I-90 altercation, the couple has downplayed what happened on social media. Crowley’s Instagram post, which has since been deleted, read: “J & I are good. I appreciate the people who stopped to check on us and call the police, I could see how it may have looked. Anytime anyone sees a guy and a girl arguing on the side of a road they should definitely stop, you never know what that could be. Fortunately it was just an argument, it was private, and we are all good!”
In a similar vein, Manziel tweeted the following:
Colleen and I got into a dumb public argument on the way home Monday afternoon. It probably looked more interesting than it was and ... I know I would stop and check if I saw a couple arguing on the side of the road. It was embarrassing but not serious ... and when we talked to the police and they realized everything was alright and I was sober, we went home together and everything is fine.
The incident comes just about six months after Manziel completed a 10-week stay at an alcohol and drug treatment center.
According to general manager Ray Farmer, the Browns are aware of the situation and have spoken to Manziel about the matter.
The NFL is also aware of the reports but declined further comment to The Huffington Post on Monday afternoon.
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