S.C. police release video of Dustin Johnson’s DUI arrest
by Emily Kay on Feb 22, 2011 2:59 PM EST
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February 22 -- The South Carolina Highway Patrol has released a dashboard video of Dustin Johnson failing a 2009 sobriety test and his subsequent arrest.
The video, which the Sun News posted today, paints an unsettling picture of a wobbly Johnson trying to walk a straight line and balance on either leg. (We vigorously disagree with Deadspin’s characterization of the depiction as “hilarious.” Just can’t seem to find the humor in drunk driving.)
The SCHP released the video after several media outlets requested it under the Freedom of Information Act, according to an agency spokesperson. “We don’t have a policy of releasing every DUI [video],” he told Waggle Room. “If the media makes a request for a video, our policy is we don’t release it until the case has been adjudicated.”
Several publications, mostly in the Myrtle Beach area, made the FOIA requests following the resolution of the case in early February, the spokesperson said.
After arresting Johnson on March 30, 2009, police charged him with driving under the influence. The 27-year-old Myrtle Beach resident pleaded guilty to reckless driving earlier this month and the SCHP dropped the DUI complaint, according to the Sun News. Under the agreement, Johnson paid a $445 fine and escaped a harsher penalty due to the lack of “evidentiary issues,” the Sun News reported.
Johnson spent some nine hours in jail after his arrest. His bail was set at about $2,220, which reports said was the recommended figure for a person with a blood-alcohol level of 0.16 or greater. A person with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 is legally drunk in the state.
Johnson, a four-time PGA Tour winner who’s become the poster boy for bizarre golf penalties, will tee off Wednesday with Mark Wilson at 10:25 a.m. in the Accenture Match Play Championship.
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I really don’t why the press NEEDS to get this into the public eye, other that sensationlism meant to embarrass a celebrity for an offense that has already been satisfactorily adjudicated.
Tell me WHY do we need to see Dustin Johnson’s arrest, instead of Harry from Kokomo who had one too many at the Craqzy Horse before he volunteered to drive the boys back to Barefoot Landing?
Oh, that’s right, cause he’s famous.
Well, a word that rhymes with “famous” is what I think that the broadcasters who went to court to liberate this tape are.
Charles...I agree wholeheartedly...
Did you notice that those requesting this information were all from his home town area?…kind of a case is local boy making good….lets knock him down a peg….Screw the publications and all who were involved in this display of stupidity……STUB
STUB
read through some of the comments – people are not happy with the newspaper for posting crap like this. good for them for letting the paper know that this isn’t acceptable.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Harry from Kokomo's DUI video gets released all the time
I’ve seen a bunch of television shows that camera footage like this.
I’ll reverse your question: why should Dustin Johnson receive any more consideration than Harry from Kokomo regarding the video of his arrest?
This wasn’t an episode of Cops or America’s Dumbest Criminals or one of those shows that put out videos of police stops back in the 90’s – this was on the nightly news.
The only time you see a “regular guy” video is when something disasterous happens – but when a celebrity is involved, it gets immediate attention.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
I would argue that once you break the law (which I don’t believe is in dispute in this case), you don’t have much standing for privacy. I’m aware of areas where the mug shots of people either arrested or convicted of solicitation are printed in the local newspaper.
I don’t think anybody has said any different, TN. What has been said is that more has been made of this because Johnson is a celebrity than it ever would have if he worked at McDonalds. We’re nearly two years past when this happened and the media STILL won’t let it go.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Don't really like Dustin Johnson
I don’t know Dustin Johnson, have never talked to the guy, but just something in his body language and demeanor just annoys me. He has a real swaggering strut, that reminds me of a preening peacock or something. All the comments you hear about him though from golf commentators and tour players is along the lines of “Dustin is a great kid, such a good guy, blah, blah, blah.” I had thought that may be I had misinterpreted his demeanor because I was fast becoming an old curmudgeon, but the fact that I had not heard of this DUI incident much in the media leads me to believe that the golf media and players are just covering up for Dustin in their own self interests. They did the same thing for years with Tiger Woods.
DJ is more of the laid back country boy than the “preening peacock” – but he’s also a highly successful pro athlete – and that usually brings at least a little bit of ego (focusing on yourself to play your game) and attitude.
Look more at the classy way he accepted his penalty at The PGA last year than the guy inside the ropes who has to concentrate on the job at hand.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Unless some weasly lawyer comes up with a loophole, he’ll get a nice fine and his license suspended for a period of time.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
hmmmmmm
Sounds like a potential new customer. :o) jes sayin
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
LOL
Nah – Eas – over here, DUI lawyering is a specialty – they advertise on radio that they can get just about anybody out of a DUI in court. It’s really annoying – and I’m amazed that our bar association doesn’t do anything about these people who go around the law to put drunk drivers back on the road.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Dustin Johnson, famous????
I believe this was his first offense… I don’t think he’s a habitual offender. He was fined $445… I know that’s not much… But remember this is South Carolina…..
Let’s see – nearly won the US Open – nearly won the PGA – 4 Tour wins in the last 3 years – the add to that the tabloid level rumors of him and Gulbis. I’d say he’s pretty famous – especially where the Sun News is published.
Hmm – Ping – you thinking he might have to do a little time dressed as Rickie Fowler….errr…in road work orange picking up trash by the side of the road ? (lol)
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Court: On this blog he's famous....
Else where, I doubt it. An association with Natalie Gulbis? Once again pretty much a golf trivia item… Perhaps dating Michelle Wie might have kicked it up a notch. I didn’t see community service as part of his conviction. As has been expressed, why release this now. It’s a two year old event…. I remember when Craig Stadler got pinched for a DUI in Michigan…But that was before The National Enquirer discovered golf…
It wasn’t realeased – it was demanded by the local media. Beats me why they just requested it. (you don’t expect me to make sense of anything the media does, do you ?)
LOL ! Dating Michelle Wie – that’s pretty funny. (see ? I got your joke – you missed mine about community service in the orange jump suit looking like Rickie Fowler)
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Some get away with it here too
But drink driving kills people..if he gets away with it, others think they can.
Not his first offense
He was arrested for DUI in California in March of 2009 in Myrtle Beach
http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2009-03/dui_johnson_golf_0331
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
hmm What was the constant "Mantra" we kept hearing from.......
Club Tiger for over a year now… O’h yeah,, “It’s none of our business”
HAHAHAHAHAHA
JES SAYIN
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
apples and oranges, pro – apples and oranges.
The only part of that mess that was any kind of public interest was Woods assaulting a fire hydrant and a curbside tree. Past that, none of the mess he was in was our business.
This Johnson thing is public record – though I disagree vehemently with releasing video like that, especially when it’s only going to be used to humiliate someone because they have more money and fame than someone else. They don’t go screaming “Freedom of Information Act” when Bob Smythe gets pulled over for a DUI. (like that, Eas ? Used the British “Smythe” instead of Smith !) :-)
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Tigers issues wasn't Public Record ?? HAH !
He went Public the Day he did the “Hello World” commercial
If I lived in Isleworth, I would want to know if I should be concerned about one of my neighbors that takes off in his Escalade at 2:00 am and hits a tree and a fire hydrant.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
Also , he made it everyones business...
Standing on National TV in my backyard in Ponte Vedra Beach, with his scripted apology from PR team tiger and the minions at IMG.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
that makes no sense at all
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Perhaps not to you Court lol
You hitting the Koolaid again ? lol j/k Do the math will ya
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
is that grape or cherry ?
I’m sorry – but just because someone is a public figure doesn’t mean every detail of their life is up for grabs in the public. It’s just basic human respect. What happened between Tiger and Elin was their business. Unfortunately, we live in a society that doesn’t hold things like that in very high esteem.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Yup Court, i hear ya.
One more thing on the topic that might make sense to ya. Perhaps celebs and sports figures hire “PUBLIC” Relations firms for a reason. Their job is to make public all the good news and to do public damage control of the bad news. Thats why they don’t call themselves Private Relations companies. jes sayin
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
No doubt about it – and they are sometimes paid to whip up a scandal to get their clients back in the public eye. Sick, but it happens.
Here’s the thing – Woods was already the most recognized athlete in the world and always top 2 or 3 in popularity – yet he stayed mostly to himself except for business and golf. Then the kids show up and all of a sudden he starts running with groupies ? If he or IMG hired a PR firm to make Tiger a heel, they weren’t very good if it took 3 years, a blown knee, a fractured leg, and 2 pivital years of playing time – including 2010, when he would have his best chance at the Grand Slam.
Doesn’t add up.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
The thing about Woods and pros 40 years ago
he faces press scrutiny 24/7, they didn’t. But the rewards are huge compared to then. He knew the rules when he turned pro, yes it’s morally none of our business, but the world has changed. He (and other top pros) get paid more in one year that Nicklaus won his whole career. I don’t feel sorry for him at all. Other top sportsmen who have accomplished more than Woods handle things better than he has done. He knew what he was doing, he had it all and blew it. He still has a “phoney” PR way about him and even if he got his game back, he will never get back respect as the person he was trying to portray himself as. He knew what he was doing outside the game, one can’t blame the media for his downfall.
So because these guys have more zero’s on their checks than 40 years ago, this kind of intrusive attention is acceptable ? Why do you think that it’s alright to have a breakdown in basic civility like that ? Can’t just be because of money. If you’re so willing to excuse what the media does – why did you get so bent out of shape when Woods spat on the green in Dubai ? Aren’t manners manners ?
No – the media didn’t cause Woods to get into the trouble he got into – but the media blew it way out of proportion and put his private life in public view.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
LOL court
In summary, the Media pulled down tigers pants in front of the world. lmao
"pain is only weakness leaving the body" jumpn
No...I'm saying they have those Zero's on their checks because of the media
It stinks, but Woods knew what would happen if he got caught. He makes his money because he is well known. 50 years ago, things didn’t work that way. I never said intrusion was acceptable. You must stop trying to put words in peoples mouth here when you add 2 and 2 and get 5.
Woods spitting has nothing to do with anything except it was disgusting and not how he should behave on a green.
He makes his money because he has been the best at what he does – and yes – things did work the same way 50 years ago. Endorsment contracts aren’t a new invention. They weren’t as big as they are now – but they worked the same way.
You most certainly did say that this kind of uncivil intrusion into people’s lives is acceptable. You’ve said it all along during this mess Woods made of himself. You were right there saying it is owed to the public. Woods spitting on the green was a breach of manners – yet you went berserk over it. Both are matters of etiquette and manners.
By the way – Fred Couples spat on a green at Riviera while on camera – why aren’t you gathering the mirmadons of morality for a protest ? I haven’t read or heard a word about it…or is it just bad when Tiger does it ?
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Didn't know Couples spat on the green
Unlike a lot of people, I don’t warm to Freddie because he is so laid back. If he did spit on the green, he is as bad as Woods and should have been fined.
Now…endorcement is nothing new…what is new is instant media everywhere. You hear about something in seconds, anywhere on the plannet. Advertising has gone through the roof and so has the amount stars get paid.
I did not say intrusion was acceptable…you would get sued in the US the way you mis quote people here. I said Woods knew the game and he knew what would happen if he got caught. He gets paid handsomely for his skill, but millions more than Nicklaus who had as much skill…because of the media machine that is today. And in this new media world, you get rich on it and get done by it too. I never said intrusion was right…I was just saying that is the way it is. Reality.
I’ll try to remember the Eas rules in the future. You’re only accountable for the last thing you say no matter what you said before.
The money Nicklaus and Palmer made back in their day was huge – but numbers change over time. Babe Ruth signed a contract with the Yankees for $100,000 back in 1927. Imagine what that contract would look like in 2011 dollars.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Your interpitaion is dubious to say the least.
Nicklaus and Palmer made fortunes…but they were a select few. Nicklaus had to design courses to make money. he was even in financial trouble in the ’70’s. The top 100 players are all rich. Sponsorship and increased exposure in the media helps players get rich quick.
Woods was a bad boy and got caught out. The media would always turn on him, even if they had no moral right to. He knew that before he went with the first model. If you think otherwise, you are being incredibly nieve court.
Envy green is such an ugly color :-)
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
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