Friday, 11 March , 2005

Pop singer Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys has been formally charged with drunken driving in Huntington Beach, California.


The `Backstreet Boys` star faces one count of driving under the influence and one count of driving with an illegal blood alcohol level.

"Nick Carter deeply regrets the current situation. He is on doctor prescribed medication and was unaware of its interaction possibilities," Rate the music quoted his publicist as saying.

Carter is scheduled to appear at an April 13 arraignment, but as the charges are misdemeanor offense, his attorney could appear in his place. He will face license restrictions and informal probation, as well as a hefty fine, if convicted.

Nick Carter Formally Charged With Drunk Driving

03/10/2005 5:00 PM, LAUNCH
LAUNCH Radio Networks

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter was formally charged Tuesday (March 8) with two counts of drunken driving in Huntington Beach, California. According to the Associated Press, Assistant District Attorney Ted Burnett said that Carter was charged with one count of driving under the influence and one count of driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.08.


Carter is set to go on the road with the Backstreet Boys beginning in March, but authorities say he can send a lawyer on his behalf to appear at his arraignment on April 13. If convicted, he could be fined nearly $1,500, be put on informal probation and have his license restricted.


On Saturday night, Carter was pulled over by police who had observed him committing a traffic violation. Cops administered a field alcohol test and then arrested Carter on suspicion of drunk driving.


Carter released a statement Monday that said, "Nick Carter deeply regrets the current situation. He is on doctor-prescribed medication and was unaware of its interaction possibilities."


This is not the first time a Backstreet Boys band member has battled drugs and alcohol. AJ MacLean is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict whose condition got so bad the band postponed part of their 2001 Black And Blue tour so he could enter rehab. In a 2003 interview on the Oprah Winfrey Show McLean said, "I drove drunk, tons of times, drove drunk. And I'm just lucky I didn't kill someone, myself, or get a DUI and ruin my whole career."