Former NFL linebacker Junior Seau drove his car off cliff near a Carlsbad, Calif., beach early this morning just hours after being released from jail following a domestic violence arrest. 
 
 Seau, 41, told police he drove off the cliff because he fell asleep behind the wheel, and police saw no evidence alcohol or drugs were involved, Carlsbad Police Lt. Bruce May said. 
 
 "Right now, we don't have anything ... to dispute what he told us," May said. "So we're investigating the collision and proceeding as if he just did fall asleep while driving." 
 
 The former New England Patriots player was the only person in the Cadillac SUV, and was conscious and in a hospital recovering from minor injuries, police said. 
 
 Seau was arrested on a charge of felony spousal assault with injury after a dispute with his 25-year-old live-in girlfriend, according to the Oceanside Police Department. 
 
 "The victim sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention," police said in another written statement. 
 
 May said police did not know of any connection between the accident and Seau's arrest earlier in the day. He said as of this evening, no charges or citations had been issued in connection with the traffic accident. 
 
 Alleged Abuse Victim's Mom: 'My Heart Is Broken 
 
 The alleged victim in the spousal assault case has not yet been identified by police. ABC News has confirmed the woman's name, but is withholding it. 
 
 The woman's stepmother told ABC News that she was upset about the alleged abuse of her stepdaughter. 
 
 "My heart is broken," she said. "We are all praying. We just hope [she's] safe." 
 
 Seau was arrested just after midnight today after his girlfriend called police following a dispute. Cops arrived at Seau's home, but he had fled. They called Seau's cell phone and he turned himself in, according to the police report. 
 
 The former star linebacker was booked at Vista Detention Facility and released around 3:30 a.m. after he posted bail. Five hours later, he drove his car off 30 foot cliff overlooking a beach. 
 
 Seau is a 12-time Pro Bowler who played for the Chargers, Dolphins and Patriots. He ended his career last year with New England. 
 
 Calls made to Seau's foundation were not returned. 
 
 -- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 11909927. -- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 11909927. -- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 11909927. -- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 11909927. -- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 11909927. -- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 11909927. ||||| (CNN) -- Former NFL linebacker Junior Seau was arrested on a domestic violence charge in Oceanside, California, shortly after midnight Monday, just hours before he drove his car off a cliff in nearby Carlsbad, authorities said. 
 
 The domestic violence incident began when Oceanside police were called to Seau's residence to investigate a report of an assault late Sunday night, police said. The alleged victim is Seau's 25-year-old live-in girlfriend, who had minor injuries that didn't require medical treatment. 
 
 The girlfriend told police that Seau assaulted her during a verbal argument, authorities said. Seau wasn't at the residence when the police arrived, but he later agreed to return home after he called his girlfriend and spoke to officers on the scene, police said. 
 
 Seau drove home and was arrested at 12:20 a.m. Monday on the charge of spousal assault with injury, police said. He was released on bail, police said. 
 
 Some time later Monday morning, Seau drove his white Cadillac SUV off a cliff and landed on the beach at Carlsbad, police said. 
 
 Seau was conscious and talking to paramedics when he was transported to nearby Scripps La Jolla Hospital for treatment, authorities said. 
 
 Law officers are investigating the cause of the accident, in which Seau was the vehicle's only occupant, police said. Carlsbad is 35 miles north of San Diego, California, where Seau played most of his career. 
 
 Drafted into the NFL in the first round in 1990 out of the University of Southern California, Seau debuted with the San Diego Chargers, establishing his Hall of Fame potential as a Pro Bowl staple. 
 
 He left San Diego before the 2003 season to join the Miami Dolphins and spent parts of the last four seasons with the New England Patriots before retiring in January. Seau amassed 1,526 tackles, 56.5 sacks and 18 interceptions in his 20-season career. 
 
 Off the gridiron, Seau was the star of "Sports Jobs with Junior Seau," a reality show on the Versus network that followed him as he took on various occupations, from baseball batboy to bullfighter to pro hockey equipment manager. 
 
 The Versus website portrays Seau, 41, as "taking on the coolest, dirtiest and most fascinating jobs in sports. NFL legend Junior Seau will get beat up, worn down and well schooled." 
 
 The retired NFL star, who is divorced and the father of four children, is also head of a namesake San Diego-based nonprofit organization, which has donated nearly $4 million for services and scholarships to children and young adults. 
 
 He's also a restaurateur, with two establishments called Seau's in Southern California. 
 
 Born Tiaina Baul Seau Jr. in San Diego, he was a Parade magazine football All-American out of Oceanside High School.
– Former NFL star Junior Seau has been hospitalized after driving his car off a cliff in California. The ex-linebacker had been arrested on domestic violence charges and released on bail hours earlier, CNN reports. His 25-year-old live-in girlfriend sustained minor injuries in the domestic incident, according to cops. Seau, star of reality show Sports Jobs with Junior Seau, told police he fell asleep at the wheel, according to ABC News.