Phelps Charged With Drunken Driving
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Six-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps (search) was charged with drunken driving in southeastern Maryland after running a stop sign in his sport utility vehicle, state police said Monday.
After the 19-year-old was stopped Thursday night, a trooper said he saw signs of intoxication and arrested Phelps for driving under the influence.
Reached Monday by The Associated Press, Phelps read a statement of apology.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I want to say that last week I made a mistake. I wanted to share my feelings and I know that getting in a car with anything to drink is wrong, dangerous and is unacceptable," he said.
"I'm 19, but I was taught that no matter how old you are you should always take responsibility for your action, which I will do. I'm very sorry this happened and it was mistake."
The legal drinking age (search) in Maryland is 21.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police said two friends were in the vehicle with Phelps, who also was charged with driving while impaired, violation of a license restriction and failure to obey a stop sign.
If convicted of driving under the influence, Phelps could receive up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine for a first offense, The (Baltimore) Sun reported. A judge could also impose a lesser penalty or probation.
Police said Phelps was "fully cooperative" and was released at 1 a.m. Friday. His vehicle was released to a friend who had not been drinking.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Phelps, from suburban Baltimore, won eight medals at the Summer Olympics (search), including the six golds.