Al Afalava, a three-year starter for the Oregon State football team’s defense, was cited for criminal mischief, which is a felony, DUII and hit-and-run by the Corvallis Police on Feb. 9, according to Corvallis Police Department public information officer Lt. Dave Henslee.

Afalava missed a turn a little after 4:30 a.m. and drove his vehicle into a bus shelter in the 200 block of NE Conifer Blvd.

The shelter was destroyed, but no one was injured. Afalava left his vehicle there and walked home.

Police responded to the scene and after looking up the vehichle’s registration, found out it was registered to Afalava. Officers went to Afalava’s home and arrested him.

“Through the course of the investigation, it was determined he was driving,” Henslee said.

His blood alcohol content was above the legal limit, and well above a 1.0, Henslee said. He has a March 6 court date where he makes his plea.

Coach Mike Riley was unavailable for comment Wednesday, and OSU doesn’t comment about players in trouble with the law. However, OSU’s code of conduct spells out a minimum punishment, even if innocent of misdemeanors.

This is Afalava’s first offense with driving under the influence of intoxicants, so he will be suspended for 10 percent of next season, which will be at least one game. He also must attend be an alcohol awareness class.

The felony part of his charges is not part of the code of conduct. It is up to OSU what to do with him on criminal mischief.

After a string of alcohol-related problems involving the team leading up to the 2005 season, ending with the alcohol poisoning death of an 18-year-old friend of team members, Riley started a zero tolerance policy for his players when it comes to alcohol and drugs.

Two players were kicked off the team soon after that incident, but there haven’t been any players removed from the team for that reason since then.

Afalava is from Laie, Hawaii, and will be a senior in the coming season. He was honorable mention All-Pacific-10 Conference last season and was third on the team in tackles with 64.

Football TV

The season opener Aug. 28 at Stanford will be nationally televised by ESPN2 with a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Sept. 6 game at Penn State game will also be nationally televised at 12:30 p.m., either by ABC or ESPN.

Those are the only two games with television coverage decided at this point.