San Donaldson Was Arrested For Driving Under The Influence Earlier This Month

We may not expect spotless personal lives from actors, athletes and musicians, but deep down, we still want our veteran newscasters to be solid, law-abiding citizens when they’re off camera. Unfortunately, they can’t always live up to those lofty expectations, as seasoned correspondent Sam Donaldson proved earlier this month.

According to TMZ, Donaldson was pulled over in Delaware on December 1st after a police officer spotted his vehicle driving on the shoulder. The cop in question reportedly smelled alcohol during the routine exchange; so, the journalist was given a field sobriety test, which he apparently failed. The seventy-eight-year-old was then hauled off to jail and booked for suspicion of driving under the influence and released into the custody of an unidentified adult.

By all accounts, Donaldson was nice and cooperative during his time with authorities. Given that and his lack of criminal history, it’s unlikely Delaware authorities will try to throw the book at him. More than likely, they’ll work out some kind of plea agreement that will see him perform some community service and land on probation.

ABC hasn’t commented publically on the news of Donaldson’s arrest, but since it happened weeks ago, it’s likely executives have already spoken to the newsman and doled out any discipline they’re going to.

Here’s to hoping this arrest was a singular mistake and not an indication of some kind of larger problem Donaldson is struggling with.