DUI arrest preceded Lee County’s suspension of Coach Dean Fabrizio

Staff Reports

ALBANY — Lee County High School head football coach Dean Fabrizio was arrested early Sunday on charges of driving under the influence, possession of an open container, and failure to maintain lane, according to a Georgia State Patrol incident report.

Fabrizio was taken into custody on Lovers Lane Road in Albany at approximately 1:03 a.m. Sunday.

The report says a trooper noticed Fabrizio’s eyes were watery and bloodshot and detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. A white styrofoam cup containing an alcoholic beverage was found in the cup holder. Fabrizio admitted to drinking two vodka mixed drinks about two hours earlier and confirmed the cup contained alcohol.

He refused to provide a breath sample but agreed to field sobriety testing. During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, the trooper observed “4 out of 6 clues.” Fabrizio declined the walk-and-turn test, citing a previous injury, but attempted the One Leg Stand, where he swayed, raised his arms for balance, and placed his foot down. The trooper determined he was under the influence and unsafe to drive.

Later Sunday, the Lee County School System announced Fabrizio was placed on administrative leave. Public relations director Yolando Robinson said there has been no update on the investigation or the duration of the suspension.

Fabrizio, 55, has been the head coach at Lee County since 2009. In 17 seasons, he has guided the Trojans to two state championships and turned the program into a perennial contender. Last season, his team went undefeated until falling in the Class 5A semifinals to eventual state champion Milton.

Assistant head coach John Flath has assumed leadership of the team as the Trojans prepare for a key region matchup Friday night in Douglas against the Coffee Trojans.