Phoenix Suns forward PJ Tucker will serve three days in the slammer (and 11 days of home detention), after pleading guilty to a May “super extreme DUI” charge in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Suns knew about the incident when they inked Tucker to a three-year, $16 million deal this summer. Per the AZ Republic:
Tucker plead guilty to a May 10 charge of super extreme DUI, which is given for a blood alcohol content of .20 or greater. Tucker was stopped for a traffic violation but arrested for DUI and his blood test showed a blood alcohol content of .222.
His lawyers, Melanie Beauchamp and Martha Neese, released that Tucker received the jail and home detention punishments. A super extreme DUI can prompt a 45-day jail sentence but Tucker also agreed to install an interlock ignition device on his car for 18 months to reduced jail time. He must also submit to substance abuse screening and counseling and pay $2,750 in fines, not including court costs and jail costs of up to $200 per day. He also was placed on five-year probation.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Phoenix for their love and support during my time as a Phoenix Sun,” Tucker said in a prepared statement on Monday. “Thank you to the Phoenix Suns organization for supporting me throughout this difficult time. And, of course my wife Tracey, family and friends, who just keep loving me. I cannot express how much I appreciate and value the many blessings that I have been given – love and abundance that I never imagined. I am truly blessed. I am so grateful that no one was hurt as a result of my choice to drive impaired. […] I am truly sorry and I take full responsibility for my actions. No excuses. It is now my responsibility to examine my life and make the changes necessary to ensure this never happens again. That process has begun and will continue with the love and support of my family, friends and, of course, the amazing Phoenix Suns.”
