Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. allegedly crashed his white Lamborghini SUV into a vehicle being driven by Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson twice before he struck a police officer “intentionally in an attempt to evade arrest” during his arrest in Doral, Fla. Saturday morning, according to the criminal complaint obtained by ESPN.
Jackson, who told police that she and Pearce recently broke up after three years together, claimed he was following her in his vehicle Saturday — adding that she sped away when Pearce exited his vehicle and attempted to get into hers while at a red light.
The WNBA star said Pearce rear-ended her car and hit her head-on while she was driving toward the Doral (Florida) Police Department.
Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr.’s mugshot after he was arrested in Florida Saturday, February 7, 2026.
Photographs of Jackson’s vehicle showed damage consistent with her account, according to the affidavit from the Miami-Dade County state attorney’s office said.
Pearce was charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, along with one count of aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights and siren, according to jail records viewed by The Post.
According to the affidavit, Pearce was standing outside of his vehicle when police arrived at the scene — and an officer pointed a gun at him and ordered him to to get on the ground.
That’s when Pearce allegedly got back in his car and closed the door, and the officer opened the door, but Pearce shut it again, locked it and drove away.
Pearce’s vehicle struck the officer in his left knee as he was fleeing the scene, according to the complaint.
He eventually crashed his vehicle at an intersection and then fled on foot.
Pearce “began to resist arrest by tensing his arms and not allowing officers to apprehend him,” per the complaint, which said he was “triaged on the scene” and later taken to Jackson West Medical Center for further assessment.
He was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Sunday night after posting a $20,500 bond.
Rickea Jackson #2 of the Los Angeles Sparks drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Mercury on September 9, 2025 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jackson told police that she blocked Pearce’s phone number to avoid contact with him, but he used an alternate number to text her.
She sent a text to Pearce Friday afternoon telling him to leave her alone and that she wanted nothing to do with him, according to the complaint.
Pearce’s legal team said their client “maintains his innocence” and that the “full, completely story” isn’t out there yet.
“We look forward to working with the State Attorney’s Office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth,” Pearce’s lawyers Jacob Nunez, Yale Sanford and Joshua Cohen said in a statement. “Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story.
“We look forward to vigorously defending our Client and remain confident that he will continue contributing positively to both his team and the community he serves so well.”
James Pearce Jr. at the NFL Honors on Feb. 5, 2026.
The Falcons said they are aware of the incident involving Pearce.
“We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time,” the team said, per NFL Network.
It comes after Pearce attended the 2026 NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco on Thursday.
Jackson reportedly confirmed their breakup last September.
Before that, she supported Pearce at a draft party in Charlotte, N.C. last April, when the Falcons selected him with the 26th overall pick out of Tennessee in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes the ball against Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025.
Pearce — who finished third in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting at NFL Honors — recorded 10.5 sacks through 17 games played, a Falcons rookie record.
Jackson played two seasons for the Lady Volunteers from 2022-24 the Sparks took her with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.
She averaged 14.7 points through 38 games in her second WNBA season.
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