SALISBURY, Maryland, November 30. THE trial date for Olympic superstar Michael Phelps in the DUI case against him was set today for December 29. The trial will take place in Salisbury, Maryland, District Court.
Phelps, 19, who won a record-tying eight medals in Athens this summer, including six golds, was pulled over by a state trooper on November 4 for failing to observe a stop sign. He was then charged with driving under the influence, failing to obey a stop sign and violating a license restriction.
Phelps acknowledged shortly after his arrest that he made a mistake.
"I know that getting in a car with anything to drink is wrong, dangerous and is unacceptable," he said. "I'm 19, but I was taught that no matter how old you are you should always take responsibility for your action, which I will do. I'm very sorry this happened."
Later, he apologized on the NBC "Today" show and again, while accepting an award on November 16 at the Golden Goggles.
More Details on Michael's DUI
Since the news of Phelps' arrest became public, Baltimore's WBAL Channel 11 I-Team has uncovered additional information about Michael's DUI.
According to WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team reporter David Collins, Michael blew a point .08 on his Breathalyzer test — the legal limit in Maryland. Police did not take a blood sample.
The television channel reported that "a source" told Collins that Phelps got the attention of a state police officer in the first place because he nearly hit the trooper when he drove past the unmarked patrol car in his 2005 Land Rover.
Collins reports: "The trooper stopped Phelps near the intersection of Bateman Street and Business Route 13. The source said the 19-year-old swimming sensation asked the officer, 'Do you know who I am?' The trooper replied, 'Yeah, you're Michael Phelps.'
"Before the arrest, Phelps was spotted at a party in a neighborhood notoriously known by locals as the Zoo — a mix of apartments, duplexes and townhouses considered party central.
"Many Salisbury University students live at the Zoo. It is within walking distance to the main campus. Sources said Phelps was in town to visit his girlfriend, who is a student at the school.
Collins reported that on Thursday, Nov. 4, students said Phelps attended a party at a house. One partygoer, identified as "Brett," claims he and Phelps got into an argument over a beer drinking game.
"Brett described Phelps as acting 'surly' and 'cocky,' and then added Phelps later apologized to him for his behavior."
Collins said Phelps had two friends with him at the time of his arrest, who accompanied him to the Salisbury barracks.
Police released Phelps' SUV to his girlfriend. A source said she was "stone cold sober" and riding in the front seat at the time of the arrest.
Police said Phelps fully cooperated. Collins reports that one person characterized him as acting like "the nicest guy in the world at the barracks — talking a lot about his family."
Phelps' dad is a retired state trooper.