Bruce Springsteen “smelled strongly of alcohol” and “had his eyes glazed” when he was accused of driving while intoxicated last year, according to a national park service ranger’s report.
But actor Alec Baldwin suspects that the rocker known as “The Boss” may have received a subpoena for other reasons.
“I wonder if Springsteen’s arrest [sic] had anything to do with his policy, “Baldwin wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.
Baldwin cited no evidence for his suspicion – one of several celebrity reactions after the normally clean Springsteen came to attention for his conflict with the law.
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Like Baldwin, Springsteen has long been associated with liberal views and causes. But media reports of the star’s DWI case – after a motorcycle trip to a national park in New Jersey in November – gave no indication that it was anything more than the case of a ranger doing his job.
Alec Baldwin is seen in Hollywood, California, April 10, 2014. (Getty Images)
Other celebrity reactions suggested that there was support for Springsteen to go unpunished for his alleged transgression.
“They arrested Bruce Springsteen in New Jersey! That’s sacrilegious,” wrote actor Michael Rapaport. “Would you arrest the Pope in Italy? Free the chief!”
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“Totally unbelievable,” wrote Springsteen’s bandmate on E Street, Stevie Van Zandt.
Former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara suggested that he would not be able to remain impartial if he were involved in the case.
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“Yes, I am aware of the Springsteen DWI problem,” wrote Bharara, adding later: “Of course, I refused.”
Springsteen, 71, was cited last November 14 at the Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook, NJ, for drunk driving, reckless driving and drinking alcohol in an enclosed area, according to the National Park Service, Asbury Park Press reported.
Bruce Springsteen is seen in New York City on October 23, 2019. (Associated Press)
An NPS ranger identified as RL Hayes reported seeing Springsteen take a shot of tequila and then hop on what was described as a red and silver Triumph motorcycle and start the engine, according to the newspaper.
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Springsteen stopped to pose for photos with fans when he was offered a drink, the report said.
The ranger informed Springsteen that alcohol was banned in the park, and the rocker said he had consumed two drinks in the 20 minutes before his arrest.
The park service said Springsteen was “cooperative throughout the process” after he was stopped – although he initially refused to take a breathalyzer test, the press reported.
A source later told the newspaper that Springsteen’s blood alcohol reading returned below the level considered illegal.
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Springsteen is expected to appear in virtual court in connection with the case, but no date has yet been set, the Associated Press reported.
News of Springsteen’s DWI incident surfaced almost three months after it occurred. In the intervening weeks, Springsteen performed outside the Lincoln Memorial on January 20 after President Joe Biden took office and appeared in a pre-recorded TV commercial for Jeep that aired during the Super Bowl CBS broadcast on February 7. .
Jeep deleted the YouTube ad after news of Springsteen’s DWI accusation.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.