The Classical Source For All The Performing, Visual And Literary Arts & Entertainment News
Theater

Pulitzer Prize Winner Sam Shepard Arrested on Suspicion of DUI in Santa Fe

It's been reported that Oscar-nominated and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Sam Shepard, was arrested on Monday night on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He was arrested after he was unable to leave a Santa Fe Parking lot because his emergency break was still on.

As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Shepard was brought in after he was arrested outside a restaurant and was assumed to be drunk. The writer attempted to pull his Toyota Tacoma out of the parking lot but was hindered by his parking break, which he forgot was on.

When an officer contacted Shepard, he failed a field sobriety test and declined a breathalyzer test. According to the Santa Fe County Jail, the 71-year-old spent the night in custody but was released the following day.

Police Lt. Andrea Dobyns said in a statement, "People were concerned that the man was intoxicated."

She continued, "Officers arrived on scene, found the male who was later identified as the actor Sam Shepard, attempting to drive away in the Toyota truck. Officers spoke to Mr. Shepard, and they smelled alcohol and he had bloodshot watery eyes."

Shepard's representatives have failed to comment on the issue thus far.

Shepard was nominated for an Oscar as Chuck Yeager in the film The Right Stuff and has appeared in Black Hawk Down and Steel Magnolias. He was also awarded the Pulitzer for drama for his play, Buried Child, in 1979.

His arrest and the damage to his reputation is a most unfortunate circumstance, indeed.

Let's remember better times for Shepard:

Real Time Analytics