New England Patriots Release LB Brandon Spikes Following Suspected Deer-Hit Incident

New England Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes was released by his team a day after he figured in a hit-and-run incident in Foxborough Massachusetts on Sunday.

ESPN reports the team made the decision on Monday after finding out about Spikes' abandoned car on Interstate 495.

The same report said that the police responded at around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday in the said area after they were informed of a 2011 Mercedes Maybach—said to be owned by Spikes—which reportedly hit a deer in the median strip.

Authorities said there was no driver present inside the car when they arrived at the scene neither was there a deer on the road.

Massachusetts State Police spokesperson David Procopio said that other officers responded to a 2009 Nissan Murano on the same area, with passengers claiming that the abandoned car hit them and that the driver fled, ESPN has learned.

The passengers of the Nissan Murano included a 51-year-old man, a 32-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy; they were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, Yahoo Sports said the Patriots did not obviously like the incident that involved their linebacker, prompting them to immediately remove him from the roster.

According to ESPN, Spikes was re-signed to the team for another year after his 2010–2013 contract. He has an estimated maximum value of $2 million.

Despite being cut from the team, Yahoo Sports said he will still be able to keep his $25,000 signing bonus.

It was not an easy road for the Patriots and Spike who had a "tumultuous relationship with each other from 2010 to 2013," Boston Globe has learned.

During the linebacker's first training camp, a sex tape circulated then at the end of his rookie season, he was suspended for four games over his violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

He played for the Buffalo Bills last season but returned to New England in May.

Boston Globe said they tried to contact Spikes for comment but he was not readily available to share his side of the story.

Meanwhile, Patriots spokesperson Stacey James said in the same report that Spikes was "alive and accounted for."

"We are aware of the report and are looking into the matter, but I don't have any additional comment at this time," James added.

A similar NBC Sports report mentioned that the police have already reached out to Spikes regarding the case but did not indicate whether he has already responded to their call.

State Trooper Matthew Guarino noted that no charges have been filed yet in relation to the incident, but if Spikes is connected in any way to it, he is surely facing big trouble.

"In 21 years as a road trooper, experience tells me that there will at least be a charge of leaving the scene of a property-damage accident," explained Guarino, according to Boston.com.