Pop star Britney Spears has been arrested in California on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), reports BBC.
Authorities said the singer was detained at around 9:30 pm local time on Wednesday after officers received reports of a BMW being driven “erratically at a high rate of speed” on a motorway.
Spears was pulled over while driving her black BMW 430i southbound on US-101 and was said to have shown signs of impairment. She subsequently took part in a series of field sobriety tests.
The singer was released from custody in the early hours of Thursday morning and is scheduled to appear at Ventura County Superior Court on May 4. Officials added that the incident remains under investigation and that chemical test results are still pending.
In a statement to the BBC, a representative for Spears described the arrest as “an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” adding that the singer intends to comply with the law and seek support moving forward.
Spears was briefly taken to a medical facility by law enforcement for blood testing in line with California’s drink-driving procedures but was not admitted to hospital. Her vehicle was later impounded.
News of the arrest emerged as Spears’ Instagram account appeared to be deactivated.
One of the best-selling pop artists of all time, Spears is known for hits including ‘…Baby One More Time’, ‘Toxic’, ‘Womanizer’ and ‘Stronger’. Her last musical release was a 2022 duet with Elton John.
In 2024, the singer said she did not plan to return to the music industry. A year earlier, she published her memoir ‘The Woman in Me’, in which she detailed her career and the challenges she faced during the 13-year conservatorship that ended in 2021.
