Junior Seau, former NFL linebacker, was arrested for domestic violence in Oceanside, CA, on Monday.  This occurred hours before he drove his car off a cliff in nearby Carlsbad.

According to police, the incident occurred when Oceanside police were called to Seau’s residence to investigate a report of an assault late Sunday night.  The alleged victim is Seau’s 25-year-old live-in girlfriend.  Reports indicate she had minor injuries that didn’t require medical attention.

Authorities reported the girlfriend told police that Seau assaulted her during a verbal argument.  Seau was not at the residence when the police arrived.  Shortly after midnight he drove back home and was arrested at 12:20 a.m. Monday and charged with spousal assault with injury.

Seau was released on bail according to police.

Some time later Monday morning, Seau drove his white Cadillac SUV off a cliff and landed on the beach at Carlsbad, police said.

He was taken to nearby Scripps La Jolla Hospital for treatment, authorities said.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.  Seau was the vehicle’s only occupant.

Seau was drafted in the first round of the NFL in 1990 out of the University of Southern California and debuted with the San Diego Chargers.

Born Tiana Baul Seau Jr. in San Diego, he was a Parade magazine football All-American out of Oceanside High School.