Actress Vivica A. Fox arrives at the 7th annual BET Awards Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
CHP Report: Fox Called Cop a 'Racist'
2007-06-30 07:30:01
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Vivica A. Fox called a state patrol officer a "racist white cop" during her drunken driving arrest and repeatedly failed sobriety tests, according to an official report.
The 42-year-old actress, who is black, was pulled over in March after passing a California Highway Patrol officer who said her Cadillac was doing 80 mph and weaving in its lane on the Hollywood Freeway.
The officer noticed that Fox's eyes were red and watery and that she had a "strong odor" of alcohol, according to the report. After she failed sobriety tests, he arrested Fox for investigation of driving under the influence.
"Fox began to walk away, yelling at my partner, 'Brother, help a sister, are you going to let this racist white cop do this. ... Well, are you?'" according to the report.
The arresting officer is identified as Officer Laubscher and his partner as Officer De Alba.
Fox continued to speak in a "condescending manner" as she was placed in the patrol car, according to the report. She was taken to the Van Nuys jail, where a breath test was conducted but had to be stopped when she "burped quite loudly," the report said.
"The report stands on its own, and we can't comment further because it's a case pending before the courts," said Fran Clader, patrol spokeswoman.
Fox eventually was cited and released.
Breath tests indicated her blood-alcohol level was greater than .08 percent, California's legal limit for a driver. She was charged in March with two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit. Her arraignment was scheduled for July 19.
If convicted, Fox could face six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
A call to Fox's manager, Lita Richardson, was not returned.
Fox said this month that she had made a "mistake" and would "hire a driver next time."
"It was an unfortunate judgment that I am taking full responsibility in," she said backstage at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
Fox has appeared in such films as "Kill Bill: Vol. 1," "Soul Food" and "Independence Day."