MIAMI -- Authorities have ticketed Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder after he admitted to crashing his vehicle early Wednesday morning.

Florida Highway Patrol investigators found Crowder's wrecked Dodge Ram abandoned about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday near the northbound off-ramp of Florida's Turnpike at Hollywood Boulevard. After the pickup truck crashed into a tree, the driver apparently fled the scene.

According to the FHP, a state trooper contacted Crowder at his home, where the 24-year-old linebacker admitted to being the driver at the time of the crash. Crowder said he was tired, lost control on the wet ramp and struck a tree, but he didn't want to wait in the rain so he got a ride home, according to the FHP.

Crowder was issued a citation for careless driving and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, a second-degree misdemeanor.

The FHP towed the vehicle to an impound in Pompano Beach, where it was being held for Crowder. A pair of crutches and a gun that were found in the truck were returned to Crowder.

No other vehicles were involved and there were no reports of any injuries.

Crowder was a third-round draft pick out of Florida in 2005. He finished first on the team with 78 tackles in 2006 and has started in each of his first three seasons with the Dolphins, but he underwent arthroscopy on his right knee Dec. 18 and was out for the remainder of the year.