Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams pled guilty Friday to DUI in connection with an accident that occurred just weeks before he pled guilty to aggravated assault for another crime, which he is currently serving time in jail. The DUI-related car accident occurred when Williams slammed his SUV into a tree while driving intoxicated on Jan. 5.

The car accident occurred weeks before he pleaded guilty to the death of his limo driver. According to police, Williams had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit when he was taken to the hospital after his SUV hurtled off a highway exit ramp and across a street near Manhattan's East Village. Authorities detailed that Williams came within seconds of striking a car that was pulled up to a traffic light. Police found Williams in the passenger seat after the crash. Williams attempted to tell authorities that he was not driving and the driver took off after the crash. However, witnesses said that he was in fact driving the vehicle.

As a result of the crash, Williams was sentenced to one additional year in prison - the maximum penalty for a misdemeanor offense - which will follow his five-year prison term he is currently serving in New Jersey for accidentally shooting and killing a limo driver. Additionally, Williams was ordered to pay $16,000 in fines to replace a city tree that was damaged in the crash.

Williams was a former top player for the New Jersey Nets. He was a former first-round draft pick in 1990 and played nine seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Nets. Due to an injury, Williams was forced into retirement while playing on a six year, $86 million contract.

Source: Associated Press "Ex-NBA star Williams pleads guilty in DWI case" 08/21/2010