Orioles pitcher Williams charged with DUI
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Baltimore Orioles pitcher Todd Williams was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after causing a traffic accident. Williams The 34-year-old Williams was arrested early Wednesday after a three-vehicle crash that caused no injuries. He was released on $500 bond. A Breathalyzer test showed Williams’ blood alcohol content was zero percent, but he was charged with DUI with property damage, police spokesman Joe Durkin said. He also submitted to a urine test, and results will be available in a few weeks. Williams was driving a 2003 Ford Escape that slammed into the back of two cars that were stopped at a traffic light on a major Tampa thoroughfare, Durkin said. Officers at the scene “detected the odor of alcohol, some slurred speech and bloodshot, watery eyes,” Durkin said. Williams failed a field sobriety test. Durkin said Williams admitted to officers that he had had a couple drinks, and later told them he had taken a prescription painkiller. Williams’ agent, Tom O’Connell, said the pitcher had not been drinking. “We feel pretty confident that it’s not going to be a DUI. He took his eyes off the road for a second and there you go,” O’Connell said. “For whatever reason, the police felt they had to take him into custody.” O’Connell declined to elaborate. Williams referred questions about the arrest to his agent. Williams, who grew up in Syracuse, N.Y., made his major-league debut in 1995. He went 5-5 last season with a 3.30 ERA and one save in 76 1/3 innings. |