Ex-Giants star Lawrence Taylor arrested on DUI charge in Palm Beach County

FHP says Hall of Fame linebacker admitted to drinking 'apparently too much'

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor was arrested Friday on a charge of driving under the influence.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame player was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol in Palm Beach County, jail records show.

Taylor, who lives in Pembroke Pines, was booked into jail early Saturday. He was later released on his own recognizance.

According to an FHP arrest report, Taylor was involved in a crash in the southbound lanes of Florida's Turnpike in Palm Beach Gardens. The trooper who arrived at the scene said Taylor was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol.

The trooper said Taylor failed a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest.

Taylor told the arresting trooper that he "had just suffered an injury," even though he previously said that he hadn't been hurt in the crash and refused medical attention, the report said.

While he was being taken to jail, Taylor said he wasn't feeling well and felt like he was going to throw up, the report said. The trooper stopped his patrol car and called paramedics, who evaluated Taylor.

According to the report, Taylor consented to a breath test. His blood-alcohol levels were .082 and .084 percent nearly five hours after the crash. When asked if he had anything to drink, Taylor replied, "Apparently too much."

Taylor was taken to Wellington Regional Medical Center before he was booked into jail.

His wife, Lynette Taylor, was arrested on domestic violence charges in June after police said she got into an argument with her husband and started throwing items across a room in their home, striking him in the back of his head.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year spent his entire 13-year career with the Giants, winning two Super Bowls under head coach Bill Parcells.

Details about his arrest were not immediately available.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.