Raiders coach Gruden charged with DUI
Posted: Wednesday October 21, 1998 03:51 PM
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Blood tests showed Gruden's blood-alcohol level to be .10, above the legal limit of .08
Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport |
ALAMEDA, California (AP) -- Oakland Raiders coach Jon
Gruden has been charged with driving under the influence after being
arrested while driving home a week ago from his team's victory over the San Diego Chargers.
A blood test taken at the time of his arrest showed Gruden had a
blood-alcohol level of .10, a spokeswoman for the Alameda County district
attorney's office said today. The legal limit is .08.
Gruden was charged Tuesday night and is due to appear for arraignment on
November 6 in Alameda County Superior Court in Pleasanton on the
misdemeanor charge. Gruden faces a maximum penalty of up to six months in
jail and a fine if convicted.
The rookie coach, who at 35 is the youngest in the NFL, was arrested by the
California Highway Patrol on October 11 while returning to his Pleasanton
home from a post-game party following the Raiders' 7-6 win over the
Chargers in Oakland.
Gruden also could face disciplinary action by the NFL.
"If an NFL employee is charged with an alcohol-related violation of the
law, he or she could face possible disciplinary action by the
commissioner," said Leslie Hammond, director of media services for the NFL.
Such disciplinary action could include a fine.
The California Highway Patrol said Gruden was speeding by about 15 or 20
mph and straddling lanes when he was arrested. He was held at the Santa
Rita Jail for about three hours. Officers said Gruden was cooperative when
he was arrested.
Gruden was on his way home after attending the team's postgame party at the
Oakland Airport Hilton. One person at the party told the San Francisco
Chronicle that Gruden consumed no food and had "a couple of light
beers" at the party.
Gruden and the Raiders have not commented on his arrest or the charges.
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