http://www.wcnc.com/sports/Bengals-wide-receiver-involved-in-Charlotte-wreck-79449252.htmlBengals wide receiver dies after Charlotte accident by ANN SHERIDAN / NewsChannel 36
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ASheridan@WCNC.comCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NFL wide receiver Chris Henry died this morning at Carolinas Medical Center after an accident Wednesday in Charlotte, police confirm.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say the Cincinnati Bengals receiver was seriously injured after falling out of the back of a pickup truck during a domestic dispute with his fiance. Police confirmed to NewsChannel 36 that Henry has died.
Don Chisholm raced to his niece’s home, unsure of what he’d find.
“I have no clue what went down,” he said.
Don learned of the accident involving his niece and Henry through the Internet.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police say Loleini Tonga is cooperating with their investigation. Tonga is the mother of Henry’s children, and family members say the two were planning to get married. Those who know Henry say he was turning his life around after numerous problems including being arrested for drug possession and DUI.
“They’ve been together for awhile. I don’t know what could’ve possibly happened,” said Chisholm.
Police are looking for witnesses, but they say Tonga told them the couple had gotten into an argument.
“She got into the truck to leave the scene, started to drive away. I’m not sure how far she got and he came out of the back of the vehicle,” said CMPD spokesperson Robert Fey.
Neighbors say the couple was fun; threw parties and invited kids. Many who lived near Tonga had no idea Henry was in the NFL.
We asked Chisholm if he knew of any domestic violence between the couple. “No, not that I’m aware of.”
The big question is how did Henry get out of that truck? Did she swerve? Or did he jump out on his own? Police say they might release the 911 tapes soon and that might give us more information.
Henry's agent just released a statement, asking for privacy and prayers. "Chris is indeed battling for his life tonight, and our thoughts and prayers (are) with him during this extremely difficult time."
Henry has had a long history of problems off the field. He started playing in the NFL in 2005, but in four seasons he was suspended nearly a dozen games for violations of the player’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies. After his fifth arrest he was let go from the Bengals in 2008, but was brought back after the team's other receivers suffered injuries.