Environmental activist makes headlines for arrest, apologizes for it

Jun 10, 2013 04:03 GMT  ·  By
Erin Brockovich has been arrested for OUI, operating a boat under the influence
   Erin Brockovich has been arrested for OUI, operating a boat under the influence

Erin Brockovich, the environmental activist on whose life the critically acclaimed Julia Roberts film of the same name was based (2000), was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence – while she was operating her boat near Las Vegas.

TMZ reports that Brockovich was spotted by a warden trying to dock her boat, which she had trouble doing because she was intoxicated.

“The Nevada Department of Wildlife tells TMZ one of their game wardens observed Brockovich (now Brockovich-Ellis following her marriage in 1999) struggling to dock her boat at Lake Mead, just outside Boulder City,” the celebrity publication says.

“When the warden attempted to offer assistance, he noticed she ‘exhibited several signs of an intoxicated boater.’ The cop conducted an investigation and subsequently arrested Brockovich for OUI (operating under the influence),” adds the same media outlet.

Brockovich’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, so she was taken to the Clark County Detention Center where she was booked.

She posted bail and was out in hours, and is expected to show up in court soon.

As word of her arrest got out and spread like wildfire in the press, Brockovich went in damage control mode, issuing a statement to say that she wasn’t boating, she was only trying to do some maneuvers with the boat.

However, she did apologize for her behavior.

“At no time was the boat away from the dock and there was no public safety risk. That being said, I take drunk driving very seriously, this was clearly a big mistake, I know better and I am very sorry,” she said.

“After a day in the sun and with nothing to eat it appears that a couple of drinks had a greater impact than I had realized,” Brockovich continued in her statement.