By Mike Singer | CBSSports.com
Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence in Baltimore early Tuesday morning, local CBS affiliates confirmed.
UPDATE: Phelps has issued an apology
Phelps, a 22-time Olympic medalist, was arrested by the Maryland Transit Authority at around 1:40 a.m. while driving 84 mph in a 45 mph zone. The MTDA released a statement with more details from the arrest.
“A white 2014 Land Rover entered the radar’s area of influence at excessive speed. The officer followed the vehicle northbound on I-95 through the tunnel and initiated an enforcement stop. Mr. Phelps was identified as the driver by his driver’s license and appeared to be under the influence. He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests. Mr. Phelps was cooperative throughout the process.”
Phelps, 29, was officially charged with DUI, driving with excessive speeds and crossing the double lanes. He was eventually released.
It was Phelps’ second DUI arrest after he was charged in 2004 after running a stop sign in Maryland. Phelps, 19 at the time, reached a deal and was sentenced to 18 months probation following the first arrest.
Speaking with “Today” in 2009, Phelps discussed the first DUI.
“I’ll be the first one to admit I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. But I have never made the same mistake again. I never made the same mistake twice.”
He also was the center of controversy after a photo surfaced in February 2009 of him apparently smoking marijuana.
Phelps racked up 22 medals, includng 18 golds, from the Olympics in 2004, 2008 and 2012. He planned on retiring following the London games but has since returned to training, possibly in anticipation of the 2016 Olympics.
Story courtesy of CBS Sports