Jason Kidd Speaks to Students About Drunk Driving Dangers

Former NBA player and part-time Water Mill resident Jason Kidd visited Southampton High School on Friday, September 27, to fulfill the terms of his plea agreement for a July 2012 drunk driving arrest.

After a night of partying in the Hamptons — at a benefit party and at an East Hampton nightclub — Kidd got in an accident in his Cadillac Escalade. According to police, he struck a utility pole at Cobb Road and Little Cobb Road, not too far from his new Water Mill abode. Just days before the accident, Kidd signed to play for the New York Knicks. He is now the head coach of the New Jersey Nets.

A year after his arrest, Kidd pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated. According to espn.go.com, in exchange for the opportunity to have the charge reduced from a misdemeanor to a violation, Kidd agreed to talk to Long Island high school students about the dangers of drunk driving.

During Kidd’s talk Friday in the Southampton High School auditorium, a photo of his SUV with the front-end smashed in was displayed on a projector screen.

Kidd took questions from students and former Suffolk County Executive Patrick Halpin moderated the discussion.