Michael Phelps DUI Arrest: Olympic Swimmer's BAC Nearly Twice Legal Limit, Report Says

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was arrested Tuesday for driving under the influence in Baltimore, the Maryland Transportation Authority said. Authorities initially stopped Phelps for traveling 84 mph in a 45 mph zone.

“A Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) police officer was operating stationary radar on southbound [Interstate] 395 leaving Baltimore City when a White 2014 Land Rover entered the radar’s area of influence at excessive speed (84 mph in a 45 mph zone),” the MDTA said in a statement, CBS WJZ-TV, Baltimore, reported. “The officer followed the vehicle onto northbound I-95, through the tunnel and initiated an enforcement stop just beyond the tunnel’s toll plaza. Mr. Phelps was identified as the driver by his driver’s license and appeared to be under the influence. He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests. Mr. Phelps was cooperative throughout the process.”

At the time of his arrest, Phelps’ blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit, sources told TMZ. The 29-year-old was booked on charges of DUI, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines.

This is Phelps’ second DUI arrest. The three-time Olympian was arrested in 2004 at the age of 19 and charged with DUI, violation of license restriction and failure to obey a stop sign. He reached a plea deal with authorities and served 18 months’ probation, Yahoo Sports said.

Phelps is the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, with a record 18 gold medals. He retired from competition after the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, but announced his return to swimming in April.