PJ Tucker, small forward for the NBA Phoenix Suns, was arrested in May on suspicion of driving under the influence. Though the arrest was made some time ago, the incident has just become public knowledge.
Tucker was drafted in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. He played for the Raptors before being sent to the NBA Developmental League and then moving to play in Europe and the Middle East. Since 2012, Tucker has been with the Suns and just last week, he signed a three year contract extension reportedly worth $16.5 million.
But Tucker’s on-the-court play is not the breaking news today. According to Scottsdale police, Tucker was operating a motor vehicle in May when he was pulled over on suspicion of DUI. Blood tests reportedly confirmed that Tucker had a blood alcohol content of 0.222, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08 in Arizona. Under the state’s laws, a BAC of .222 is considered super extreme driving under the influence and can mean incarceration if a driver is convicted.
The incident reportedly occurred on May 10, shortly after midnight, when an officer noticed Tucker’s vehicle allegedly run a stop sign. When Tucker was pulled over, officers reportedly noted that Tucker had glassy eyes and slurred speech, and, when questioned, he reportedly admitted that he had one beer at a local bar in the Valley.
It is not clear when Tucker is due in court or whether he has had any major appearances up to this point. At this time, the Phoenix Suns have not commented publicly on the arrest. Though no specifics have been made available, Tucker may face fines, fees, loss of a license, or even jail time if he is convicted in this incident.
Drunk driving poses a threat to those behind the wheel as well as other drivers and passengers in the area. Annually, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causes thousands of accidents in Arizona and is responsible for numerous injuries. In the worst instances, a victim may lose his or her life in a drunk driving crash.
The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have experience representing numerous victims of drunk driving accidents over the years. We understand that these claims can be complicated and we understand how to get results. Whether a drunk driver is criminally charged or not does not affect a victim’s ability to obtain a financial recovery; the laws in Phoenix and Arizona provide for relief in many accidents where a citation is never issued.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers believes in helping those who have been hurt through the actions of others. We offer a free case consultation toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we provide it without any obligation on your part. If we represent you in your personal injury action, we will never charge a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
If you have been hurt in an accident and you needed medical treatment, you may be entitled to relief. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Police Searching for Hit-And-Run Driver that Injured Child in Phoenix, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 28, 2014.
Resource:
Suns player PJ Tucker arrested and accused of super extreme DUI, by Marc Martinez, Fox 10 Phoenix, published July 29, 2014.