Pulitzer Award-winning playwright and actor Sam Shepard was taken into custody in New Mexico on May 26, Tuesday. The actor was suspected of drunken driving after a Santa Fe restaurant's security complained about a possibly intoxicated driver in the vicinity.
The eatery's staff called the police when they noted that an intoxicated man is trying to drive a pickup truck with the vehicle's emergency brake engaged. On being intercepted by police, the 71-year-old actor said that he had just two shots of tequila and was heading home, Reuters reported.
The "August: Osage County" actor, who reportedly denied to undergo a breath test, was arrested outside the eatery after failing a field sobriety test. Police spokeswoman Andrea Dobyns later released a statement saying that the actor had bloodshot watery eyes and was reeking of alcohol. He was charged with aggravated driving while being intoxicated and has reportedly spent the night in jail.
Santa Fe jail records show that Shepard was released Tuesday afternoon, after posting a bail of an undisclosed amount. The celebrity's representative is yet to comment on the matter.
This is not the first time that the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright is facing legal trouble owing to his alcoholism. Back in 2009, he was arrested in central Illinois and charged with speeding and drunken driving, NBC News reported. The actor was subjected to an alcohol treatment program and 100 hours of community service, after he pleaded guilty along with a fine of $600 and 24 months of supervision.
Author of several books and memoirs, Shepard received the Pulitzer prize for drama for his play "Buried Child" and an Academy award nomination for best supporting actor for his role of pilot Chuck Yeager in "The Right Stuff."