NBA legend Paul Pierce has been officially charged with driving under the influence, two weeks after police say they found him asleep at the wheel in Los Angeles traffic. The Los Angeles County District Attorney filed two misdemeanor charges against the former Boston Celtics star on October 21.
Pierce is facing one count of driving under the influence of alcohol and another for having a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher. Both charges stem from an incident on October 7 when California Highway Patrol officers discovered his Range Rover stopped in an active lane on U.S. Highway 101.
CHP had been responding to a multi-car accident near Lankershim Boulevard when they spotted Pierce’s SUV sitting still in traffic. Officers said they observed signs of impairment and conducted a DUI investigation at the scene.
The 10-time NBA All-Star later took to Instagram to give his version of events.
“Imagine being stuck in stand still traffic for 45 mins and falling asleep,” he posted on October 9. “I took this picture that night because I never been in stand still traffic for this long. I’m old, I’m tired, and I fell asleep. I’m good y’all thanks for the love.”
Pierce’s arraignment is scheduled for November 12.
