Michael Phelps to 'Attend a Program' After DUI Arrest
Police say Phelps registered a BAC almost twice the legal limit.
— -- Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps will take time away from swimming "to attend a program that will provide the help I need to better understand myself" following his DUI arrest in Maryland, he tweeted Sunday.
Phelps, 29, was arrested last week after police said they pulled him over for driving 84 mph in a 45 mph zone.
A string of tweets from Phelps began with him saying that "The past few days have been extremely difficult."
"Swimming is a major part of my life, but right now I need to focus my attention on me as an individual," he continued, "and do the necessary work to learn from this experience and make better decisions in the future."
After police pulled him over, he registered a .14 percent on a Breathalyzer test, according to police documents obtained by ESPN.
The legal limit in Maryland is .08.
"Mr. Phelps was identified as the driver by his driver’s license and appeared to be under the influence. He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests," a spokesperson for Maryland Transportation Authority said.
Asked to do a one-leg stand, the Maryland Transportation Authority said that Phelps "stated 'that's not happening.'"
In arrest documents, an officer wrote that after he placed Phelps in custody, the swimmer appeared "disoriented, argumentative."
He was charged with driving under the influence, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines.
Phelps was also arrested in 2004 in Maryland. He pleaded guilty to that arrest and got 18 months probation and a $250 fine.
His 2004 conviction was waived. If convicted on current charges, Phelps will face the penalties of a first-time offender, which include up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, and the loss of his driver's license for six months.
Phelps is due in court on November 19.