Richie Sambora DUI
Fame, Fortune and Felonies. Rock Stars seem to have it all, especially when they have enough dough to get themselves out of almost anything, except DUI charges. It turns out no matter how famous the band you play in is, you are not immune to the similar pitfalls that are familiar to us mortals. Enter renowned Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, who after 2 stints in rehab in 2007, was arrested last Wednesday on a DUI charge, accompanied by his 10-year-old daughter and her friend in the car. Police were summoned to a view of a Hummer swerving on Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, California, where it was “lane-straddling and weaving in lanes,” as described by Sgt. Jason Kravetz. It wasn’t soon till the exposed drunk turned out to be Bon Jovi’s righthand man. Breaking reports add that “Sambora was driving a Hummer and was with three unidentified women, one adult and two juveniles. He was given a blood alcohol test, and was released on his own recognizance at about 4 a.m.” The 49-year-old Sambora was promptly pulled over, reeking of alcohol, yet willingly submitted to police requests. According to TMZ reports Sambora failed numerous sobriety tests and was forced into police custody. He is summoned to court on May 7 to answer to the misdemeanor charge. Sambora faces additional child endangerment charges due to having his young daughter and her friend in the car while driving intoxicated.
Sambora has been under severe stress since his divorce from actress Heather Locklear and the death of his father, and has since had several run-ins with the law, including substance abuse and DUI. He admitted to “drinking too much and needing to get his life together. I’m still in therapy and stuff like that, but it’s good. I’m fine.” Having been released from UCLA medical center after completing a treatment program, many believed Sambora to fine, though this is not always the case.
Yet fine taken out of context such is this is standard for many to worry about one’s problems. Many Californians agree that the maximum penalty for Sambora should be a loss of license, on the fact that he endangered the life of his child and her friend. This should not only be mandatory, but Sambora would benefit from an alcohol treatment program for drivers, as a break from touring. He is a crucial part of the wondergroup that is Bon Jovi, and it’s disheartening to hear of the trouble he’s going through. He is in my prayers, and I hope he’ll come through, for the music and most of all, his family.
