Pop icon Britney Spears faces DUI charges in California

Pop star Britney Spears is reportedly facing a  DUI (driving under the influence) charge in California after an alleged incident of rash and unsafe driving earlier this year. According to reports, authorities have charged the 44-year-old with one misdemeanour count for driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs.

As per officials, the exact details about the substances involved have not been clearly mentioned in the complaint. Reports suggest that her team has not yet given any official statement on the matter.

The incident  took place on March 4, when Spears was stopped by the California Highway Patrol on U.S. 101 near her home. According to reports, she was driving her black BMW at a high speed and in an erratic way. Officers at the spot noticed signs of impairment and conducted field sobriety tests. After this, she was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs.

She was released on bail the next day. Later, the investigation report was submitted to prosecutors on March 23. At that time, a representative reportedly called her behaviour “completely inexcusable” and said it could be a sign that she needs to make serious changes in her life.

In the weeks after the arrest, Spears voluntarily entered a rehabilitation centre to deal with substance-related issues.

Her court hearing is scheduled for Monday, but since the charge is minor she may not have to appear in court personally. 

Britney Spears became a global star in the late 1990s with hit songs like Toxic and Gimme More. However, her personal life has often been in the news, including her conservatorship, which ended in 2021.