Rockies' player Todd Helton has pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired, in a plea bargain in regards to a DUI incident this past February, as reported by The Denver Channel and several other media outlets.
Helton told the judge, "I am very regretful to be here. I have taken many steps to prevent this from happening again."
Helton was sentenced to a year of probation, a fine of $400 and $1224 in other fees. He must also complete 24 hours of community service.
At approximately two in the morning on February 6 a witness reported a possible drunk driver in a black Ford F150 that had hit a median and had stopped in a gas station. Officer T.D. and one other officer drove to the area of 128th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard and spotted the vehicle.
The truck was running though parked in the station, with the driver's door open and without any inhabitants. Helton was then spotted coming out of the gas station's convenience store holding a wallet, chewing tobacco and lottery tickets.
Helton, dressed in camouflage, said that he was the owner of the truck.
Officer T.D. wrote, "I could immediately smell a strong odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage coming from his person and he was unsteady on his feet. The male's eyes were also bloodshot and watery. I asked the male where he was coming from and he stated something about getting his truck washed."
Both officers had yet to be enlightened that they were speaking to Todd Helton. The police report then states that Helton began rooting around his vehicle, allegedly in search of his identification. One of the officers asked if his ID was in his wallet – that Helton had placed on the driver's seat while he had conducted his search.
Once Helton was identified, officers told him that a witness had called them to check out a possible DUI after seeing him strike a curb. Helton, according to the report, denied hitting a curb.
Officers then asked if Helton would comply with a roadside sobriety test. Helton agreed, after he asked questions about how the process worked.
Helton was arrested following the field test. A breath test was also administered, however the results of both the field and breath test were redacted in the document as is Thornton police policy. The results of the tests would be confidential until the case went to court.
During Helton's booking he allegedly admitted, without being asked, that he had consumed two "Igloo cups of red wine."
Before being released to a "sober party" Helton was issued a notice of revocation and summons for DUI, DUI Per Se and careless driving from Adams County.
Once in court it was revealed that Helton's blood alcohol level was .12 percent.
If you are facing criminal charges that stem from DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI contact a DUI attorney today! Fines and probation can be a result in your sentencing, however, sentencing can also result in the loss of your driving privileges and jail time.