Nuggets Guard Lawson Arrested in LA for Fourth DUI
Early Tuesday, July 14, Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in Los Angeles, his second DUI arrest this year and his fourth such arrest overall.
According to the LA Times, a California Highway Patrol officer pulled over Lawson, 27, as he sped north on the 101 Freeway past Alvarado Street at about 2 a.m.
Officer Kevin Tao said Lawson had been driving “at a high rate of speed” while leaving a Hollywood nightclub. Lawson stopped his white Mercedes-Benz at Melrose Ave.
“[Lawson] displayed several signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication and was subsequently arrested for DUI,” a CHP statement said.
Tao arrested Lawson without incident at 2:29 a.m. and booked the NBA player into Los Angeles County Jail; at 8:30 a.m., Lawson was released on $5,000 bail.
The L.A. Sheriff’s Department indicated that Lawson’s charge is a misdemeanor, Sports Illustrated reported. In California, a first-time DUI conviction can also lead to six months’ imprisonment in county jail, along with a six-month driver’s license suspension.
In January, Denver police arrested Lawson on suspicion of drunk driving after pulling him over for driving 61 mph in a 35 mph speed zone on Park Avenue West. He was cited for DUI, speeding and careless driving. A spokeswoman for the Denver District Attorney’s Office said Lawson is on pre-trial supervision, and that the conditions of his bond included monitored sobriety.
Lawson is due in court for the Los Angeles DUI on August 4.
It remains unclear how Lawson’s fourth DUI offense will affect his professional basketball career. The point guard just completed his sixth NBA season, all of which have been in Denver — however, he has been the subject of recent trade rumors, with the Sacramento Kings showing particular interest.
