Tunney Faces Drunk-Driving Date in Court
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Former Sen. John V. Tunney (D-Calif.) has been charged with drunk driving after he was pulled over on Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, officials said Friday.
Arraignment for the 52-year old Tunney, who served a single term in the Senate, had been scheduled Friday, but was put off until April 28.
Tunney was arrested at 2:10 a.m. on March 6 by California Highway Patrol officers who alleged that his 1985 Mercedes SEL was speeding and weaving down the coast road, CHP Officer Ernie Garcia said.
“An officer observed him exceeding the speed limit and weaving within traffic lanes,” Garcia said. “He was stopped, and the officer determined he was under the influence of alcohol.”
Tunney was released on $1,000 bail after being booked at the Santa Monica Police Department jail. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and with a separate criminal charge of driving with a blood alcohol content of .10% or higher, said Santa Monica City Atty. Robert Michael Myers.
Tunney, a Los Angeles attorney and political commentator for KABC-TV, lost his seat in 1976 to former Sen. S. I. Hayakawa (R-Calif.).
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