Legendary singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen has had his DWI charges in a November incident dropped after appearing in court Wednesday.
Springsteen appeared before Magistrate Judge Anthony Mautone, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The 71-year-old faced charges of drunken driving, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area.
Springsteen pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of consuming alcohol in a closed area. He admitted to drinking at the Gateway National Recreational Area, where alcohol consumption is prohibited. Prosecutors dropped two of the charges, but he was fined $500 for the consuming alcohol in a closed area charge, according to TMZ.
“Mr. Springsteen is pleased with the outcome of today’s court appearance,” his attorney Mitchell Ansell told the entertainment website. “Mr. Springsteen, who has no previous criminal record of any kind, voluntarily pleaded guilty to a violation of consuming an alcoholic beverage in a closed area, agreeing to a fine of $500. We want to thank the Court and will have no further comment at this time.”
The incident reportedly happened Nov. 14 at the Gateway National Recreational Area, and Springsteen, who currently lives in nearby Colts Neck, New Jersey, was cited for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area, according to an NPS statement obtained by the Asbury Park Press.
The publication reported the Grammy Award winner had a blood-alcohol content level of 0.02 when he was arrested while riding his motorcycle in the recreational area. The legal threshold in New Jersey is 0.08.
The park sits on a peninsula, about 15 miles north of Asbury Park, New Jersey. The area includes beaches and hiking trails, according to the statement.
Prior to his arrest, the musician was recognized by fans who asked him to pull his bike over to take some pictures, a source told the New York Post. He then reportedly took a shot of tequila offered by a fan, in full view of police.
“Bruce stopped, took the pictures, then a fan offered him a shot of liquor, which he took, while sitting on his bike, which was stationary,” the source said. “Park Police saw what happened and they immediately pulled Springsteen over as he drove away.”
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