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Jerry Buss arrested in Carlsbad

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Times Staff Writer

Lakers owner Jerry Buss was arrested early Tuesday morning in Carlsbad on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and faces two misdemeanor charges, according to a police report.

Buss, 74, failed a sobriety test after being pulled over at 12:50 a.m. near downtown Carlsbad. Police said his blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit of 0.08%, although the final results were not released.

Officers followed Buss after he failed to depress the high beams of his gold Mercedes-Benz E320 while driving southbound on Carlsbad Blvd. Officers were traveling northbound. Officers then observed Buss taking a wide turn and crossing over a double yellow line.

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Buss didn’t initially pull over -- “He didn’t react right away,” according to the police report -- but then moved to the curb. “Mr. Buss was cooperative,” said CHP officer Tom Kerns. “It was an uneventful DUI arrest.”

A 23-year-old woman, Jeannana M. Flores of New York City, was also in the car with Buss and was not arrested.

“Although I was driving only a short distance, it was a bad decision and I was wrong to do it,” Buss said in a statement.

“It was a mistake I will not make again.”

Buss was taken to the Vista Detention Facility near Oceanside and was released on bail.

Buss has a home in the Carlsbad area.

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andrew.blankstein@latimes.com

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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