Former NBA star Charles Barkley was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Scottsdale, Arizona after an officer saw him run a stop sign.
According to Lt. Eric Shuhandler, an officer with a DUI task force saw Barkley run through a stop sign at about 1:30 a.m. on December 31 in Scottsdale's Old Town.
The officer administered
field sobriety tests after smelling alcohol on Barkley's breath. When Barkley failed the field sobriety tests, the officer had probable cause to conduct an arrest.
Barkley refused to submit to a breath test, but was given a blood test at the police station. Shuhandler said it will be a few days until the crime lab is able to process the results of the blood test and determine his blood alcohol level.
Barkley was cited for
driving while impaired (DWI) and released from police custody. Barkley's vehicle was impounded in compliance with mandatory vehicle impoundment laws.
Barkley issued a statement saying, "I'm disappointed that I put myself in that situation. The Scottsdale police were fantastic. I will not comment any further as it is a legal matter."
Shuhandler said that Barkley was cooperative and "very respectful and cordial with our officers" during the whole ordeal.
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