According to a Maryland Transportation Authority Police statement release to Us Weekly Tuesday afternoon, Baltimore police caught record-holding swimmer Michael Phelps driving nearly 40 miles over the speed limit in the Fort McHenry Tunnel on the morning of Tuesday September 30. Phelps was driving his white 2014 Land Rover.
Phelps, 29, (who has 22 Olympic medals) also was arrested for a DUI in November 2004, when he was 19. At the time, he was sentenced to 18 months of probation and apologized to the judge saying “I recognize the seriousness of this mistake. I’ve learned from this mistake and will continue learning from this mistake for the rest of my life.”
Looks like he didn’t learn! Phelps failed multiple standard sobriety tests and appeared drunk, according to authorities. He was cooperative during the process but was charged with crossing double lane lines and excessive speeding.
Phelps was also caught on camera smoking out of a bong and lost a bunch of endorsements…even so, has he heard of Uber? Apparently not…and even Olympic swimming teammate Ryan Lochte (who’s not known for being eloquent) has some words of wisdom. According to Dlisted.com, Lochte gave this statement to TMZ:
“I’m not concerned … he just makes dumb decisions. He has so much money to get a driver. I even have a driver. Just stinks for the sport of swimming. But he will become smarter from this. Luckily he did not hurt himself or someone else.”
The United States Olympic Committee CEO and USA Swimming aren’t too pleased…do you think they’ll let him come back for the 2016 Rio Olympics? the Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun released a statement saying “We are surprised by today’s news. We are disappointed on a number of fronts, but want to give Michael Phelps and USA Swimming an Opportunity to comment before saying anything more.”
USA swimming said that Michael Phelps’ actions are disappointing and that they expect their athletes to conduct themselves responsibly no matter where they are…in or out of the pool.
Phelps himself released a statement this afternoon saying “earlier this morning, I was arrested and charged with DUI, excessive speeding, and crossing double lane lines. I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down.”
Well…at least he has great PR representation. But seriously, DO THEY HAVE UBER IN BALTIMORE? Michael Phelps is very rich; there’s no excuse.
