Mel Gibson arrested

Published 9:00 pm Friday, July 28, 2006

MALIBU, Calif. – Academy Award-winning director Mel Gibson was arrested Friday on suspicion of drunk driving in Malibu after a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy clocked him driving 80 mph – twice the speed limit – on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Gibson, who starred in the “Lethal Weapon” movies and directed “The Passion of the Christ” and “Braveheart,” was stopped around 2:30 a.m. as he drove his 2006 Lexus Coupe.

The deputy briefly talked with Gibson and, after smelling alcohol in the car, administered a breath and field sobriety tests, said Steve Whitmore, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman. Gibson’s blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.12 percent (.08 percent is the legal limit in California).

Gibson was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and released in lieu of $5,000 bail.