Celebrity Justice
Richie Sambora May Nip DUI in the Bud -- Get It?

Posted Mar 29th 2008 10:46AM by TMZ Staff

Richie Sambora may dodge a bullet in his DUI bust earlier this week, and not because of legal footwork -- because he may not have been DUI.

Sambora volunteered to submit to a blood alcohol test after he was popped in Laguna Beach. It may take a week before we know the results. But several sources -- who know what the alleged drunk drank -- tell TMZ Richie simply didn't drink much at all before the cops stopped him, and the blood test may register below the .08 legal limit in Calif.

True enough, if he was driving erratically and had any alcohol in him, he could still theoretically be charged with DUI. But that may not be in the cards either.

There's a buzz that Heather may go into court to wrestle away some of Richie's custody of their kid, Ava. Our sources say, ain't gonna happen. Part of the reason -- Heather has her own issues. But the biggest reason is that we're told Richie may be the best dad in rock & roll -- he has flown from gigs in Japan to see Ava play softball.

And you thought TMZ only took shots. Apology accepted.

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Music

Comments [58]
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(Page 3 of 4)Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. I am so sick of people saying they only had one beer, one glass of wine...Who cares...You drank then got behind the wheel of a car...These people can afford to hire somebody to drive them...If you are going to drink don't drive...How damn hard it that to understand...............

Posted at 3:04PM on Mar 29th 2008 by binla

32. What lala land are some of you living in? I don't care how much charitable work he has done in some rich community in CA. I don't care about his hard times. In addition, if that amount of time had passed between one drink and dinner and a movie, then he wouldn't have been driving erratically. Get a grip folks, police just don't stop you for driving the white line once, there has to be probable cause. You all are assuming that the police have never dealt with something like this before. He failed two breath tests and a verbal test, if he can't pass any of them after all the time that "had passed" between his drink and everything he did, then he's either really dumb or downing mouth wash and blowing positive tests!

Posted at 3:33PM on Mar 29th 2008 by lalaland

33. Laguna Beach cops SUCK. They see anyone out after 10 PM driving they figure it's a DUI. And if it's someone famous all the more reason to haul them in. There is no justice in Laguna Beach.

Posted at 4:14PM on Mar 29th 2008 by TJMYTYT

34. It's my observation that Richie and Heather may simply miss each other.

Posted at 5:03PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Sigh.

35. This story should be titled TMZ shows their gratitude to Richie's "friends" for talking to them.

My friend just got pulled over the other night and his breathalizer measured 0.8. Do I blame the cops because he's my friend? No way. I'm glad they're aggressive. It's why I don't worry much about getting plowed by a reckless driver in my small beach community no matter what time of day it is. Everyone should be so lucky. If Sambora was driving recklessly, I'm glad he was pulled over, no matter how many drinks he had or what his BAC level was. He drives a truck that can do a lot of damage, and he's been treated for alcoholism. He had no business drinking at all, especially when driving kids around.



Posted at 5:09PM on Mar 29th 2008 by zamboni

36. I am sure that the Laguna Beach Police Department appreciates your comments about them. If you're ever in trouble, don't bother to call them, get out of it yourself. Be glad that they are policing your area to keep you away from drunks like Sambora.

Posted at 5:45PM on Mar 29th 2008 by lalaland

37. so if he wasn't drunk, why was he driving that way? or did the police pull his hummer over for no reason? as for what he drank before he drove, if he did drink, i am of the camp that believes a person who has a problem with alcohol should not be drinking at all. well, whatever the cause of the erratic driving, i hope it gets solved and i hope things work out for ava so that in another 10 or so years, we aren't hearing about her arrests and whatnot!!

Posted at 5:46PM on Mar 29th 2008 by cheerycherie

38. Heather wishes they could have kept it together for Ava's sake and she misses her drinking buddy, but she doesn't want Richie anymore. The drunken arguments and other bad behavior took a toll on their relationship and his looks. She misses her career more than anything.

Posted at 5:50PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Sparkles

39. I like Richie and when some say Heather has isssues ... HEATHER DRINKS LOTS ... TOO MUCH .. she won't be looking for custody when she's got to expose her drinking problems that have been large.

Posted at 5:55PM on Mar 29th 2008 by VAL

40. If I found out through the media that my spouse had filed for divorce afters years of marriage, I'd fall off several wagons.

Posted at 6:51PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Sigh.

41. i hoped it would be proven wrong but he should not morally be drinking since he has an addiction to alcohol
both ava's parents have their respective problems but they are both good parents its why they have joint custody of their daughter
i hope he continues to seek help for his addiction and i still love him
x

Posted at 7:09PM on Mar 29th 2008 by rosie

42. What if he was half in the bag BEFORE he went out drinking?

Posted at 8:08PM on Mar 29th 2008 by OoooNoooo!

43. He looks old and crusty!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 8:34PM on Mar 29th 2008 by honeyb.

44. I'd still do him

Posted at 10:12PM on Mar 29th 2008 by jetsgrl

45. The Richie fans are too funny! Ha...Ha.....the guy failed field sobriety tests....the blood test was suggested by his attorney, either a very smart move or a dumb one since it will also show other substances, a smart one because it delays the alcohol count unless the drinks were recent. The girlfriend does not care since she is with a rock star. A bad situation all around. Heather's sister should sue his ass for putting her child in danger on purpose, since he knows he should not drink!

Posted at 1:10AM on Mar 30th 2008 by OneWildNight

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