DUI, reckless-driving charges against Derek Lowe dropped

By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DUI and reckless-driving charges were dropped Thursday against Braves pitcher Derek Lowe, his attorney confirmed.

Atlanta City Jail Derek Lowe

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City of Atlanta Solicitor Raines Carter agreed to dismiss the charges.

Defense attorney Bubba Head said Lowe was not racing, as alleged when the veteran pitcher was arrested April 28 on Peachtree Road in Buckhead less than a mile from his home. “The officer jumped to a conclusion and made a lot of mistakes,” Head told the AJC. For one, the trooper said he spotted an Aston Martin and a Camaro speeding down Peachtree Road in Buckhead; Lowe drives a 2011 Porsche Panamera.

Lowe also denied drinking. The trooper said he “detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” after pulling Lowe over, but Head said the smell may have come from the pitcher’s chewing tobacco. Lowe refused to take a breath-analyzer test but did “remarkably well” in a field sobriety test, according to his attorney.

Meanwhile, a second trooper pulled over the driver of the Camaro, but issued no traffic citations. Lowe was taken to Atlanta City Jail.

The 37-year-old’s arrest came days after pitching coach Roger McDowell was accused of making anti-gay remarks to fans in San Francisco’s AT&T Park. McDowell was suspended for two weeks without pay.

Lowe, the highest-paid member of the 2011 Braves, issued a carefully worded apology the day after his arrest.

“I would like to apologize to my family, teammates, fans and the Braves organization for the attention arising from this matter, however I am hopeful that this incident will not be a distraction to the Braves organization while we are focused on returning to the playoffs,” the 15-year major leaguer said. “This is a legal matter and I anticipate this case can promptly be resolved within the court system.”

Lowe is 34-26 with a 4.22 ERA in two-plus seasons with Atlanta.