David Carradine Gets Jail, Probation for Drunk Driving

Actor David Carradine was sentenced Friday to 48 hours in jail, three years probation and ordered to work full time for 30 days on a Caltrans roadway maintenance crew in addition to performing 100 hours of community service for driving drunk last month in Los Angeles.

Carradine, who starred in the television show “Kung Fu,” pleaded no contest Friday in Van Nuys Municipal Court to one count of driving under the influence of alcohol. His blood-alcohol level was more than 0.10, the legal standard for driving under the influence of alcohol, said Deputy City Atty. David Kestenbaum. A second count of driving under the influence was dismissed in exchange for Carradine’s no-contest plea, he said.

Education Program

Commissioner David Stephens also ordered Carradine to attend an alcohol education program for one year and to attend one drunk-driving awareness meeting sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. At these meetings, people convicted of drunk-driving offenses listen to talks by mothers and other family members who have lost loved ones in traffic accidents, said Deputy City Atty. Lisa Kissel.

Carradine also is not to drive anywhere except to work and alcohol meetings for one year, Kissel said.

Carradine was arrested by California Highway Patrol officers at about 12:45 a.m. Sept. 8 at Primera Place and Lindo Street in the Cahuenga Pass area after he was observed stopped at a green light and straddling the center line, Kissel said.

Carradine failed a field sobriety test. His blood-alcohol level was 0.17.

Carradine, represented by attorney Emanuel Barling Jr., admitted a previous conviction from November, 1984, for driving under the influence.

Kissel said the sentence is typical for a second drunk-driving conviction. Carradine could have received a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, Kestenbaum said.