Carl Lewis Arrested as Drunk Driver

HOUSTON — Carl Lewis, a winner of six Olympic gold medals, was arrested early today on drunk driving charges.

Lewis was released from custody later in the day on $800 bond and was whisked from the police station by his lawyer.

Lewis was charged with driving while intoxicated, misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

The sprint champion was pulled over about 2 a.m. today by officers on the west side of the city. Lewis, 29, was the driver of a car carrying two other men and a woman, officers said.

Police said officers in a patrol car saw his Audi make a turn, strike a curb and blow out both right-side tires.

Authorities said Lewis failed a field sobriety test, and a test administered at the police station put his blood-alcohol content at 0.12. In Texas, the legal intoxication limit is 0.10.