Pinkard is suspected of driving under influence

USC safety Josh Pinkard was arrested this month on suspicion of driving under the influence, Coach Pete Carroll confirmed Tuesday.

Pinkard, a junior from Oxnard, was arrested May 18 at 3:44 a.m. after a California Highway Patrol officer noticed a car swerving as it traveled from the eastbound Pomona Freeway to the northbound Long Beach Freeway, CHP spokesman Bill Preciado said.

Pinkard, 21, gave a breath sample after he was stopped and another after he was taken to the CHP’s East Los Angeles station, according to Preciado. The CHP report identified Pinkard as a USC student, though not a football player.

Pinkard could not be reached for comment. He was a starter last season and was injured in the opener against Arkansas and missed the rest of the season after reconstructive knee surgery.

Taylor Mays stepped in and became a freshman All-American.

Pinkard appeared close to full recovery during limited participation in spring workouts and was expected to rotate with Mays and junior Kevin Ellison at the safety spots.

Asked Tuesday afternoon if Pinkard had been arrested, Carroll at first said he was unaware of the incident but would look into the matter. Carroll said later that staff members had reached Pinkard and confirmed his arrest.

“We’re looking into it and we’ll find out the details,” said Carroll, who spoke to Pinkard on Tuesday night. “As usual, we’ll handle it internally. We take this seriously and we want to make sure we understand all of the circumstances.”

Pinkard was booked at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles at 5:25 a.m. and was released at 3:50 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. website. He was scheduled to appear in East Los Angeles Municipal Court on July 24.

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gary.klein@latimes.com