Alcohol--Not Drugs--Detected in Tarpley

Criminal charges, including driving while intoxicated, were filed Friday against Dallas Maverick forward Roy Tarpley, two days after he was arrested on charges of drunk driving and resisting arrest.

Police said test results showed the alcohol content of Tarpley’s blood was sufficient to charge him with driving while intoxicated. They said the tests showed no trace of drugs.

Tarpley, who has been treated twice for drug and alcohol abuse, was arrested Wednesday night. He faced lifetime suspension from the NBA if tests had shown he took cocaine or other illegal drugs.

A positive test for alcohol would be a violation of Tarpley’s rehabilitation program, but wouldn’t necessarily be a third strike against him under NBA anti-drug rules.

Driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest are Class B misdemeanor charges in Texas, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Tarpley was suspended indefinitely without pay Thursday.

“Roy will be suspended until he is fully in compliance with his personal after-care program. He must understand the gravity of this kind of incident and how alcohol contributes to it,” said Dr. David Lewis from the ASAP Family Treatment Center in Van Nuys.

Tarpley was leading the league with a 16.8 rebounding average and averaged 17.5 points per game.