BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly faces four drunken driving-related charges after an incident on Dec. 22 in suburban Pittsburgh.
Police in Ross Township, Pa., charged Coonelly, 51, with one count each of drunken driving, driving the wrong way, careless driving and driving with a blood-alcohol content of at least twice the state’s legal limit of .08.
The DUI charges are misdemeanors. Driving the wrong way and careless driving are summary offenses. Coonelly waived his right to a hearing on Feb. 1 and was released on his own recognizance. His arraignment is March 20 in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.
Coonelly arrived Thursday at the Pirates’ training complex, but did not speak with reporters. The team issued a statement from Coonelly and Bob Nutting, the Pirates’ principal owner.
“My actions that evening were irresponsible and wrong,” Coonelly said. “I take full and sole responsibility for them. There is no excuse for ever driving under the influence of alcohol. My conduct that night was uncharacteristic to my personally held values.”
