More details have emerged regarding Bruce Springsteen's DUI arrest last November 14th in Sandy Hook, New Jersey's Gateway National Recreation Area. The New York Post quoted a source close to Springsteen that explained while riding his motorcycle in the park, “was spotted by fans who asked him to pull over and take some pictures. Bruce stopped, took the pictures, then a fan offered him a shot of liquor, which he took, while sitting on his bike, which was stationary. Park Police saw what happened and they immediately pulled Springsteen over as he drove away.”
The source went on to say, “The incident escalated because once the officer approached Bruce on his motorcycle he refused to take a breathalyzer test. The cop got pissed off, took Bruce in, and made him do bloodwork.” According to The Asbury Park Press, Springsteen's “blood-alcohol content clocked in at 0.02 — below New Jersey’s legal limit while driving of .08.”
The arresting park ranger, R.L. Hayes stated in his probable cause affidavit, “The Patron bottle that the shot was poured out of was completely empty (750ml). I asked Springsteen if he was leaving and he confirmed that he was going to drive out of the park. . . He claimed that he had two shots of tequila in the last 20 minutes.”
The affidavit quotes Hayes claiming that Springsteen’s allegedly failed a field sobriety test, stating, he “observed four out of six clues on the horizontal gaze nystagmus test” and the Springsteen was “visibly swaying back and forth while I observed his eyes.”
Hayes went on to write: “I observed five out of eight clues on the walk and turn test. . . Springsteen took 45 total steps during the walk and turn instead of the instructed 19. (He) refused to provide a sample on the preliminary breath test.” The ranger claimed Springsteen “smelt strongly of alcohol coming off his person and had glassy eyes” — and refused to take a breathalyzer “despite signs of intoxication.”
The Asbury Park Press reported: “No date for Springsteen's court appearance has been set. He'll appear via videoconference before Judge Anthony Mautone in federal court because the arrest was made on federal grounds. The court, called enclave court, is like a federal version of municipal court.”
