[gatagato]

Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps was arrested for driving while under the influence early Tuesday morning, according to police.

Phelps, 29, also was charged with excessive speed and crossing double lane lines within the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95 in Baltimore, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police said. Police say he was driving 84 mph in a 45-mph zone.

According to the police statement, when an officer stopped Phelps' 2014 white Land Rover just beyond the toll plaza, the 18-time gold medalist "appeared to be under the influence."

"He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests," the police statement said.

Phelps was cooperative throughout the process, police said. He was later released.

Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history, with 22 medals from the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He retired after the London Games, where he won four golds, but began training last fall and officially returned to competition in April. One of the reasons he returned to swimming, Phelps said this summer, was because it gave him a structured schedule. He repeatedly said he was bored in retirement.

"It's good to have some structure back in my life," Phelps said in July. "That's how I've always been. That's something I need. I was happy to get that year and a half where I did whatever I wanted, went wherever I wanted. I got that out of the way, and I'm happy to have this back."

Unlike 2008 and 2012, where he swam a full program, he has concentrated on relays and shorter-distance events in his comeback, including his signature 100-meter butterfly. At last month's Pan Pacific Championships, his first international meet since London, he won three gold medals and two silvers.

Phelps doesn't have any more meets scheduled this year so it's unclear what, if any, discipline he might face. USA Swimming did not return multiple messages seeking comment.

This is not Phelps' first brush with the law. In 2004, a 19-year-old Phelps was arrested for drunken driving and was sentenced to 18 months probation. In 2009, a photo surfaced of Phelps with a marijuana pipe at a party. He was suspended from competition for three months by USA Swimming.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...est-/16478267/

[30564U]

In most states your apt to be sentenced for a felony on a third DUI conviction and actually do prison time. This marfhan better get his shit together in a hurry. Was this an alcohol or drug related DUI? Anyone know?

[gatagato]

Originally Posted by 30564U ↗

In most states your apt to be sentenced for a felony on a third DUI conviction and actually do prison time. This marfhan better get his shit together in a hurry. Was this an alcohol or drug related DUI? Anyone know?

According to most sources it was alcohol, his BAC tested nearly twice the legal limit.
This is his second DUI charge in Maryland and if convicted he could face a maximum penalty of a year in jail, a $1,000 fine and the loss of his driver's license for six months, but (according to Maryland law) this is not considered a second offense because his first DUI conviction occurred more than five years ago.

[Illusion]

Stupid move, but so many people get busted for DUI. He has made his money and doesn't need to worry about public opinion.

[tbone79]

If he keeps up the good driving habits, he could very well end up in the death pics section. I like to drive fast too, but damn.....

[Sharon]

Just as well no one was hurt

[tbone79]

"If you like the way I swim, you should see me drive.."

[30564U]

Originally Posted by gatagato ↗

According to most sources it was alcohol, his BAC tested nearly twice the legal limit.
This is his second DUI charge in Maryland and if convicted he could face a maximum penalty of a year in jail, a $1,000 fine and the loss of his driver's license for six months, but (according to Maryland law) this is not considered a second offense because his first DUI conviction occurred more than five years ago.

But it'll still count toward sentencing and punishment. Just because it doesn't count in open court doesn't mean that it won't be used by the judge and probation department for pre-sentencing determination and counted against him as a repeat offender. He'll skate on the first one based on elapsed time, but he'll still have it used against him in terms of disposition.