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Just the Facts:
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — Two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. was arrested early Thursday on a charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated here after what appeared to be a street race, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department. Unser told the arresting officer "you caught the slower guy," according to Jennifer Brown, an attorney and the public information officer for the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department in a phone conversation with Inside Line. Unser was driving a white 2011 Chevrolet Suburban at the time of the incident. He appeared to be racing an unidentified black sedan that got away. "The deputy was running radar and these two vehicles were westbound on Paseo del Norte, a four-lane highway," Brown said. "At one point, the deputy lost sight, but caught up. The white utility vehicle pulled over. The deputy didn't confirm they were racing, but Mr. Unser made some admission to the effect that 'you caught the slower guy.' I guess 100 mph is not a lot for him." The deputy clocked Unser at 101 mph. Brown said Unser was formally charged with aggravated DWI, a charge that indicates his blood-alcohol content was twice the legal limit. Unser, 49, was released from jail on his own recognizance. He is scheduled for a bond arraignment on October 12 in Bernalillo County Metro Court where he will plead guilty or not guilty to the charge. He lives in the area. The Associated Press reported that Unser pleaded no contest to a "driving under the influence" charge in 2007. As part of a plea deal, he lost his driver license for 90 days. Unser, now retired, is the son of Indy 500 racing legend Al Unser and the nephew of three-time Indy winner Bobby Unser. He won the Indy 500 in 1992 and 1994. Inside Line says: Watch Unser's comment to the cop become legendary. |
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News Around Town >
Al Unser Jr. Arrested for Illegal Street Racing -DUIposted Sep 30, 2011 2:35 PM by Fabienne Adams [ updated Jan 20, 2012 7:41 AM ] |
In 2007, he pleaded no contest to a driving under the influence charge stemming from a January 2007 crash on a Nevada freeway. Nevada authorities said Unser's blood-alcohol content was three times the legal limit and he failed field sobriety tests. As part of the plea deal, Unser lost his driver's license for 90 days, was fined $1,000 and had to attend a drunken driving school, a victim-impact panel and undergo alcohol abuse evaluation.
...90 days obviously was just a slap on the wrist!
In 2007, he pleaded no contest to a driving under the influence charge stemming from a January 2007 crash on a Nevada freeway. Nevada authorities said Unser's blood-alcohol content was three times the legal limit and he failed field sobriety tests. As part of the plea deal, Unser lost his driver's license for 90 days, was fined $1,000 and had to attend a drunken driving school, a victim-impact panel and undergo alcohol abuse evaluation.
His lawyer at the time said Unser had stopped drinking and was attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Unser also performed more than 100 hours of community service on alcohol treatment-related causes.
In 2002, Unser also underwent treatment for alcohol abuse after his girlfriend said he hit her in the face while he was drunk in Indianapolis. Prosecutors did not file charges.
2012 Al Unser will face MORE charges as his treatment has not been succesful.