Erat denies alcohol use and hit-and-run allegations

Claims he called the police himself.

Former Czech hockey player Martin Erat has strongly denied allegations that he was driving under the influence and fled the scene of an accident in the United States.

He also criticized the way North American media reported on the incident.

According to a Tuesday report from WRKN, Erat was arrested in Tennessee after allegedly causing a car accident and leaving the scene. He was later released on a $30,000 bail but is reportedly still facing multiple charges, including DUI.

“That I ran from the accident? Or that I was drinking? I have no idea where that came from. It’s completely unfair! It’s not even about me—I can take a joke—but this is too much. I may live in the U.S., but I have family in the Czech Republic. How can people spread such lies?” Erat told Czech newspaper Deník Sport.

According to his version of events, everything was handled through official channels—he called the police himself after the accident and insists he was not intoxicated.

“I was sick, so I took medicine prescribed by my doctor, which is used for the flu. It happened to contain a small amount of alcohol,” Erat explained.

He recently worked with the Nashville Warriors as Director of Player Development and also served as the head coach for the Nashville Predators’ U12 team.

Erat played 13 seasons in the NHL, appearing in over 900 games.