Andre Miller Sued by Ex-Teammate

Monday, July 31st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) â€” A former University of Utah teammate of Andre Miller has sued the Cleveland Cavaliers rookie, contending Miller caused a car crash that damaged his football career.

Brandon Jessie filed the lawsuit Thursday. Named in the suit are Miller, Miller's mother and another person involved in the collision. Jessie seeks unspecified damages, including his medical expenses and ``loss of wages and earning capacity.''

Miller was named to the NBA's All-Rookie team. His three-year contract is worth about $5.4 million. The Utes retired his jersey last season.

Jessie played two seasons of basketball for the Utes as a junior college transfer and was an All-Western Athletic Conference selection in 1995 and 1996. He signed a contract with the New York Giants as a tight end in 1997, but spent the season on injured reserve and was cut before the 1998 season.

The collision occurred April 24, 1999, when Miller, Jessie and several other Ute players returned from a day of horseback riding. Miller was cited for running a red light, but the charge was dismissed after he submitted proof he attended traffic school.

The other driver was charged with drunken driving, but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving. He was fined $500 and given one year's probation.

Jessie, who now lives in San Diego, underwent surgery for multiple injuries to his right knee one week after the collision.

The suit also contends Miller's mother removed the seat belts from the rear of the van, where Jessie was riding.