California Highway Patrol arrested Britney Spears just before 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, according to an inmate search on the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office website. A CHP spokesperson tells Rolling Stone officers suspected Spears was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Chemical test results are still pending.
“At approximately 8:48 p.m., a black BMW 430i was reported to the CHP’s Ventura Communications Center for driving erratically at a high rate of speed on southbound US-101,” the spokesperson says. “CHP officers located the BMW near Westlake Boulevard and initiated an enforcement stop. … The solo occupant, Ms. Spears, showed signs of impairment and submitted to a series of field sobriety tests. Ms. Spears was subsequently arrested for a violation of California Vehicle Code section 23152(g), driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol, and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.” Police are still investigating the incident.
Spears, 44, was booked around 3 a.m. today and released just after 6 a.m. as a “cite and release.” She does not have a probation recommendation listed, and her vehicle is now in a tow lot. The singer, whose occupation is listed as “celebrity” in the official records, will have to report to Ventura County Superior Court on May 4.
“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” a rep for Spears tells Rolling Stone. “Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law, and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.
“Her boys are going to be spending time with her,” the rep continues. “Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well-being.”
Spears’ Instagram page, which has 44 million followers, was not available after the arrest.
Gossip site Page Six reported in October that video taken at the time showed Spears allegedly driving dangerously, tailgating other drivers. The supposed incident took place around the release of her ex-husband Kevin Federline’s memoir, You Thought You Knew.
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Spears has spent most of her life in the media crucible, with interest in the artist intensifying when a judge released her from a 13-year conservatorship under the supervision of her father, James “Jamie” Spears. Since then, she married and divorced Sam Asghari, released her own memoir, The Woman in Me, and released two singles, “Hold Me Closer” with Elton John and “Mind Your Business” with will.i.am. Rolling Stone reported last month that Spears sold her music catalog and other rights to Primary Wave.
This article was updated at 11:34 a.m. EST on March 5 to include a statement from a rep for Spears and at 5:57 on March 5 to include quotes from California Highway Patrol.
