CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The grandson of legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt has apologized for driving drunk in Charleston Monday night.
Bobby Dale Earnhardt posted a message on his Facebook page Tuesday afternoon.
“I wanted to let you all know I made a terrible mistake last night drinking and driving and I am thankful nothing bad happened from my stupidity and I know It could have. I’m sorry for letting all my fans friends and family down and Ihope I can make it up to each and everyone of you and in the future be a good role model. I will continue to move forward with my racing career and I hope I continue to have your support thanks.”
Earnhardt, 25, was arrested at around 11:20 p.m. Monday on West Washington Street after police observed him speeding and driving erratically.
“The officer had him do a field sobriety test, which he failed,” said Lieutenant Shawn Williams of the Charleston Police Department. “He had a blood alcohol content of .193.”
Earnhardt lives in Charleston and races in the ARCA Racing Series. He is the grandson of the legendary Dale Earnhardt and nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr. He was apparently headed home after a night of drinking at a Charleston watering hole.
“He made a statement he’d been at Denver’s Depot on the West Side and had consumed some alcohol there,” Williams said. “Shortly afterward is where he ran into the police officer.”
Police first spotted Earnhardt driving on Garvin Avenue and pulled him over on West Washington Street. Earnhardt was booked and spent the night in the South Central Regional Jail. He was arraigned Tuesday morning and released on a personal recognizance bond.
Aggravated DUI is a misdemeanor. The aggravated count can be added when the operator’s blood alcohol content is greater than .15. The legal limit for DUI in West Virginia is .08.
Earnhardt kept a personal appearance he had scheduled in Beckley Tuesday afternoon.