Actor in Car Collision Charged with Drunk Driving

July 28, 2008

HOLLYWOOD – Actor Shia LeBeouf and two other people were charged with drunk driving after being injured in a car collision recently.

According to the Los Angeles sheriff’s office, the actor and his two companions made a left turn and collided with an oncoming car at the junction of La Brea and Fountain Avenues. The collision caused the actor's Ford F-150 pickup truck to roll over in the crash.

LaBeouf injured his left hand and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for surgery, while his companions, who were both women, were treated for minor injuries and released.

Authorities said the actor "was exhibiting obvious signs of intoxication”. He was later arrested and cited for misdemeanor drunken driving instead of felony drunken driving because the injuries suffered by the others were minor, the police explained.

LaBeouf's publicist, Melissa Kates, declined to comment on the arrest. His attorneys said he was recovering from extensive hand surgery with plans to return to work on the set of the "Transformers" sequel within one month. They declined to comment further.

LaBeouf played Mutt Williams, Harrison Ford's young sidekick in the recent movie "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

During his 10-year career, LaBeouf has starred in several dozen films and TV shows, including "The Greatest Game Ever Played," "Disturbia," "Transformers" and the Disney Channel's "Even Stevens."