Friday, August 1, 2008 - Page updated at 03:15 PM

Mavs' Howard charged with drag racing

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was arrested in his hometown after police said he was drag racing at nearly 40 mph above the posted speed.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was arrested in his hometown after police said he was drag racing at nearly 40 mph above the posted speed.

He is charged with going 94 mph in a 55 mph zone, careless and reckless driving, and speed competition. He has been released from the Forsyth County jail on a written promise to appear in court Sept. 23.

Police said an officer saw a black Lexus and a silver Volkswagen speeding along U.S. 421 in Winston-Salem late Thursday night. The officer stopped the Lexus, and Howard was identified as the driver. Authorities didn't identify the other driver.

Howard played in high school in nearby Kernersville and was a standout at Wake Forest.

On January 12, 2000, Bobby Phills of the Charlotte Hornets was killed in a similar incident.

Phills was traveling behind teammate David Wesley at more than 75 mph when his Porsche spun and crossed into oncoming traffic. It hit another car, which in turn was struck in the rear by a minivan. Phills was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers of the other two vehicles recovered.

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