Former Oregon Tight End Colt Lyerla On The Run After Escaping From Corrections Center [Update]

Colt Lyerla played tight end for the Oregon Ducks from 2011 to 2013, and had a cup of coffee with the Green Bay Packers before knee injuries ended his brief NFL career. Lyerla has run into trouble with the law several times since his college career ended, as he was convicted of cocaine possession in 2013 and arrested the next year for suspicion of driving under the influence.

Last August, Lyerla was arrested in Hillsboro, Ore. after trying to pass off counterfeit $50 bills. He was found with heroin vials in his pockets, charged with possession in March, and sentenced to six months in the minimum security Washington County Community Correction Center. According to the , county officials noticed an open window and an escape in progress last night at about 5 p.m. Everyone was eventually accounted for except Lyerla. A warrant has been issued for his arrest, and if he is caught, he likely faces time in a stricter facility:

The community corrections center is a minimum-security facility across the street from the county jail. The center provides residents work-release and transition programs. Services include substance abuse treatment, mental health evaluation and treatment, employment counseling and job referrals and other programs.

The center averages over 2,000 intakes a year with an 85 percent completion rate, officials said. Lyerla will not be allowed back to the community correction center or alternative forms of custody because of his escape, Berger said.

NFL speed comes in handy, apparently.

Update, 4:24 p.m. EDT: Nah, he got caught within 24 hours.

[ The Oregonian]