Bruce Springsteen Reportedly Blew a Quarter of the Legal Limit During Drunk Driving Arrest

According to police, however, Springsteen refused a breathalyzer and failed a field sobriety test while swaying strongly and smelling of booze

BY Allie GregoryPublished Feb 11, 2021

Since it was revealed that Bruce Springsteen was arrested late last year on charges of drunk driving, reports have surfaced that indicate he may have been subjected to a case of over-policing.

Local news source Ashbury Park Press reports that the 71-year-old blew a 0.02 during his breathalyzer test — a level that indicates he was driving well under the legal limit of 0.08. Sources familiar with the case shared that Springsteen had taken one shot of tequila with a fan before he was pulled over at the Gateway National Recreation Area.

"Bruce stopped, took the pictures, then a fan offered him a shot of liquor, which he took, while sitting on his bike, which was stationary," the source said, according to APP. "Park Police saw what happened and they immediately pulled Springsteen over as he drove away."

UPDATE (2/11, 3 p.m. ET): As TMZ now reports, police dispute this version of events, according to legal documents obtained by the publication. According to police, an officer watched Springsteen take a shot of tequila and then hop on his motorcycle and start the engine. The officer stated he told the musician that drinking was prohibited in the area, claiming he saw the 750 ml bottle of tequila was empty.

The officer went on to state that Springsteen smelled strongly of alcohol and his eyes were glassy. When the officer asked Springsteen to do a field sobriety test, he stated that the musician began swaying and took 45 steps when he was only asked to take 18.

Furthermore, according to police, Springsteen refused to submit a breath test.


This revelation comes one day after Jeep announced it would be pulling the singer's Super Bowl ad, for which Springsteen wrote and produced the accompanying music. The ad was Springsteen's first-ever commercial appearance.

Springsteen was arrested November 14 in Sandy Hook, NJ, and was cited for DWI, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. According to TMZ, he was cooperative throughout the arrest, and that a court appearance will come "in the next few weeks."

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