According to ESPN, newly signed Arizona Cardinal player Joey Porter has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and assaulting a police officer while resisting arrest in Bakersfield, California.  It does not appear as though Porter injured the police officer in the incident.

Our law firm’s San Diego car accident lawyers believe that no one is above the law when it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Drunk driving is a serious problem and it will continue to always be one, and if these charges against Porter are true, then it does not help that someone in the public eye and a potential role model for young, teenage drivers is roaming around in his vehicle after having too much to drink.

Porter did not comply with California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers’ requests when they approached him in a fast-food parking lot.  One CHP officer asked to see Porter’s drivers license, but instead of cooperating, Porter gave the officer nothing and began to roll up his window.  The officer then attempted to unlock the car door and that’s when Porter slapped the officer’s hand.

Cases like this can easily turn into high speed police chases, but Porter did eventually comply with officers, getting out of his vehicle and placing his hands behind his back.  CHP arrested the NFL star on suspicion of drunk driving, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.  Porter’s passenger was also arrested.

The Cardinals, who just agreed to a $17.5 million three year contract with Porter, issued a statement saying that “the team is aware of the incident.  We are in the process of gathering all of the facts concerning it and won’t comment further until that’s completed.”

The San Diego car accident lawyers at our firm feel that drunk drivers should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  We are aware that intoxicated drivers will always be on the road, but no one should get off easy because they are a professional athlete or an average, everyday type of person.  Drinking and driving takes lives, which is why we take drinking and driving accidents seriously.

If you or a loved one were injured in an automobile accident you didn’t cause, then we urge you to contact our bilingual offices as soon as possible at 1-800-655-6585 or please click here for a FREE consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in San Diego.  We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe us nothing until we recover money on your behalf.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.