Kentucky's Derek Willis gets diversion in intoxication case

Kentucky forward Derek Willis was given diversion Friday in his public alcohol intoxication case at Boone County District Court, according to Jason Riley of WDRB.com.

A diversion program essentially allows a defendant to serve an alternative sentence without acquiring a criminal record. The likely repercussion in Willis' case will be either community service or another form of court ordered program.

Willis was found in such an intoxicated state he was lying unconscious on the ground outside the driver's side door of his car in the middle of Mountain Laurel Way in Union, Ky. earlier this month. When officer's woke him up, he stated he had no idea where he was and that he'd had "a lot" to drink.

Willis wasn't charged with DUI because there was no evidence he'd physically operated the vehicle. His girlfriend, who was in the passenger seat when officer's found Willis, said, "I don't know if (Willis) drove or not," according to a video from the police cruiser.

Willis pleaded guilty to alcohol intoxication and paid a $25 fine. His attorney could not be reached for comment.