Jay Cutler sued for $25,000 by crash victim just days after receiving jail sentence for DUI case

Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler’s legal troubles have escalated. Days after a Tennessee judge sentenced him to four days in jail for a DUI case, the man he rear-ended in the October 2024 crash filed a civil lawsuit.

The victim, identified as Perry Lee, is seeking more than $25,000 in damages, claiming the accident left him with medical bills, lasting pain, and diminished quality of life.

Perry Lee accuses Jay Cutler of negligence in DUI crash

According to court filings, Lee argues that Jay Cutler “failed to use reasonable and due care in the operation of the vehicle he was driving so as to avoid injury to other persons using the roadway, including [Lee].” His attorneys also allege Cutler was intoxicated when he struck Lee’s car in Franklin, Tennessee.

Lee, a military veteran, says the crash caused ongoing pain, emotional suffering, and financial strain. “Our client is a veteran who was injured in a car crash due to the alleged negligence of another driver,” attorney John Morgan, founder of Morgan & Morgan, said in a statement. “His injuries from the crash cause him daily pain and have eroded his quality of life. We are seeking justice for him so he can get the care he needs and try to move forward with his life.

”The lawsuit also outlines claims for lost wages and reduced earning capacity. Lee’s legal team includes Morgan and attorney Sydney Pierce, who emphasized that Cutler’s intoxication was a critical factor in the collision.

Jay Cutler’s DUI case and criminal sentence

Cutler, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor DUI in late August as part of a plea deal. Prosecutors dropped his gun possession charge after he agreed to forfeit the weapon found in his vehicle.

Along with his four-day jail sentence, Cutler was fined $350, ordered to complete DUI education classes, placed on one year of probation, and had his license revoked.The former Chicago Bears quarterback was arrested on October 17, 2024, after rear-ending Lee’s vehicle with his Dodge Ram truck. According to police, Cutler attempted to flee and even offered Lee $2,000 not to call authorities. Officers said he appeared visibly intoxicated, noting slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the smell of alcohol.

A search of his truck revealed two firearms, including a loaded pistol.While Cutler has remained silent about the case, his ex-wife, Kristin Cavallari, briefly addressed it on her podcast. “I do, of course, wish Jay nothing but the best, and I do hope that he gets the help that he needs, but that’s the only thing I will be saying about it publicly,” she said.Also Read: Travis Hunter's NFL debut sparks debate as Jaguars push him to offense and critics call it a mistakeCutler is scheduled to begin serving his jail term on September 29.