Update: Simpson has now been formally charged with one count of refusing to submit to a chemical test and one count of fourth-degree DWI, according to CBS Local.
Jerome Simpson, the wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, was arrested early the morning on Saturday, Nov. 9 on suspicion of drunk driving.
While a DWI arrest is bad news for anyone, it may be even worse for Simpson. He has had previous legal trouble with drugs, so a DWI conviction would amount to a violation of his probation.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, just after 4 a.m., a Minnesota State Patrol trooper responded to a report of a stalled vehicle on Interstate 394 heading out of downtown Minneapolis.
The trooper reported that Simpson, who was alone in the vehicle, emerged displaying “obvious signs of intoxication,” like “watery eyes” and “slightly slurred speech.” The trooper reported that Simpson said he had been at the Pour House, a bar in the popular Hennepin Avenue entertainment district, but denied that he had been drinking.
Simpson performed field sobriety tests and was arrested. He was taken to Hennepin County jail, were he allegedly refused a breath test.
As a Minneapolis DWI attorney, I am watching this case with interest. If any details emerge in the near future that are worth writing about, I will certainly consider a follow-up post.
The reason I am interested in this story is that I have made working on the cases of people accused of DWI one of my top professional goals. If you think it would be informative to have a talk with a drunk driving-defense attorney who serves Minneapolis and St. Paul, you are welcome to contact me at any time.