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Olympian Phelps on drunk-driving charge

JULIET LINDERMAN

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and crossing double lane lines.

Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 22 medals, was caught in the Fort McHenry Tunnel in Baltimore, the Maryland Transportation Authority said.

An MTA police officer was using radar at about 1.40am on Tuesday (Sept 30 2014) when Phelps' white 2014 Land Rover came through at 135km/h in a 70km/h zone, the transportation authority said. The officer stopped Phelps near the tunnel's toll plaza.

SECOND CHARGE

The statement added: "Phelps was identified by his driving licence and appeared to be under the influence. He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests."

The statement said Phelps was co-operative throughout the process but was arrested and taken to a transportation authority station, from which he was later released.

It is Phelps' second charge of  driving under the influence in Maryland. The native of Baltimore County faced the first charge in 2004, was put on probation for 18 months and fined $250 - the equivalent of R2500.

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