Kirkland Police netted an unexpected catch last week in its ongoing focus on DUI enforcement.
Seahawks linebacker Mosiula “Lofa” Tatupu, 25, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in the early morning hours of May 10. His blood alcohol count was recorded at twice the legal limit.
The arresting officer spotted Tatupu driving a blue 2006 Hyundai Accent with four passengers eastbound on N.E. 85th Street at around 2:11 a.m. According to the police report, the three-time NFL Pro Bowler was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic. The officer pulled Tatupu over after the car had stopped at a McDonalds drive-thru on 124th Avenue.
The officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol and said Tatupu had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. The police sergeant then conducted a field sobriety test in the restaurant parking lot.
Kirkland Police Lt. Nick
Seibert, who released details of the arrest last Tuesday, said Tatupu was “a cooperative and polite individual” during the entire process.
“After he failed the field sobriety tests, we brought him down to the jail for testing on our BAC machine,” Seibert said. Tatupu was arrested after refusing to submit to a portable test in the parking lot. He was released several hours later after breath tests revealed blood alcohol levels (BAC) of .155 and .158. The state’s legal limit is .08.
The Seahawks star’s arrest came after his participation in a week-long mini-camp at the team’s training facilities at Northwest University in Kirkland, team spokesman Rich Gonzales said.
According to the NFL’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies, Tatupu faces a mandatory clinical evaluation by approved health professionals and could be fined up to $20,000. The player publicly apologized to the team and fans the same day the arrest was made public.
A statement released by Tatupu read: “I want to apologize to my family, teammates, the Seahawks ownership and organization, and the fans for making a poor decision and putting myself in a bad situation.
“I take seriously my role as a leader on this team, and in the community, and because of that I’m disappointed and embarrassed by the level of poor judgment I used last weekend. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. This will never happen again, and I hope through hard work on and off the field to begin earning your respect and trust again.”
In March, Tatupu signed a six-year, $42 million contract extension with the Seahawks that is set to run through 2015. Tatupu could also face penalties from the Seahawks, but no decision has been reported.
“That will be handled internally, from the top down,” Gonzales said.
