WASHINGTON — Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has been charged with drunken driving in Baltimore, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority Police department.
The gold-medal winner confirmed the arrest and apologized to “everyone that I have let down.”
An officer caught Phelps on radar early Tuesday traveling 84 mph in a 45 mph zone along southbound Interstate 395 leaving Baltimore City.
The officer followed Phelps onto northbound I-95 and through the Fort McHenry Tunnel before stopping his white Land Rover at 1:40 a.m.
Police say he appeared to be under the influence and could not perform standard field sobriety tests
He’s charged with driving under the influence, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines within the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95 in Baltimore.
Police say he was cooperative and was later released.
Tuesday afternoon, the Baltimore County native took to Twitter to apologize saying “I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility.”
“I know these words may not mean much right now, but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down,” he tweeted.
According to the Associated Press, this is Phelps’ second drunken driving charge in Maryland. The Olympic swimmer was charged with driving while intoxicated in 2004 on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Phelps received 18 months’ probation and a $250 fine. He was also required to deliver a presentation on alcohol awareness to students at three high schools.
(1/3) Earlier this morning, I was arrested and charged with DUI, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines.
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014
(2/3) I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility.
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014
(3/3) I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down.
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014
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