People News

Michael Madsen's PCH DUI arrest

By April MacIntyre Sep 13, 2012, 16:48 GMT

According to a LASD release, deputies arrested Madsen at his home at 2:15 pm pacific time 09 March 2012 after responding there on reports of a family disturbance. EPA/L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF /

Poet and actor Michael Madsen was arrested Wednesday Sept. 12, 2012 on suspicion of drunken driving in Malibu and is spending the night in a hospital.

Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore says Madsen had a blood alcohol level of .21. more than double the legal rate.

Madsen, 54, best known for his roles in "Thelma and Louise" amd “Kill Bill,” had complained of an undisclosed medical problem following his arrest Wednesday and has since been released, said lawyer Perry Wander to the Associed Press.

TMZ reported Madsen driving erratically in a red Pontiac GTO on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

“Michael has been on prescription medication that easily could have made him look to be under the influence and caused him to fail the sobriety test,” Wander said.

Madsen was arrested at his Malibu home last March after what detectives said was an alleged drunken fight with his teenage son, but prosecutors declined to file charges because of a lack of evidence.

Madsen has been in and out of rehabilitation centers over the past several years, Wander said.

In January 2012, Madsen entered the Celebrity Big Brother house. He finished in 4th place in the final of Celebrity Big Brother.