Rodney King, the black motorist who became known worldwide after he was beaten by four white Los Angeles police officers, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of drunken driving.
Police officer Art Holmes said King was taken into custody without incident early Saturday after his car struck a block wall near downtown Los Angeles. Cmdr. David Gascon said King "subsequently apologized for the crazy driving."Police said King registered a blood alcohol level of .19 when he was booked. That is more than double California's legal limit of .08.
King, 28, was released on his own recognizance after the misdemeanor booking and ordered to appear in court Sept. 15. Neither of his two unidentified passengers was booked.
King's latest arrest came just 17 days after Sgt. Stacey Koon and officer Laurence Powell - two of the policemen who beat him - were sentenced to 21/2 years in federal prison for violating his civil rights.