Dwight Gooden was arrested Tuesday morning in Franklin Lakes for Driving Under the Influence of a controlled substance, after being involved in a car accident. The news was first reported by deadspin.com. Gooden, the former Mets ace, has struggled with issues of drug and alcohol use since the 1980s, when he was a young phenom for the 1986 World Series champion Mets. He spent time in jail for his drug use, but appeared to be turning his life around last season, when he announced he would be moving to Franklin Lakes and opening a baseball academy. He also was named vice president of the Newark Bears.
Here is the official press release detailing the incident, from the Franklin Lakes Police Department:
Under the Influence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Endangering the Welfare of a Child
Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs
DWI with a Child Passenger
Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident
Reckless Driving
Failure to Keep Right
Failure to Notify Change of Address regarding driver’s license
Mr. GOODEN was released on his own recognizance. Officers Jon RYNANDER and Robert LYON investigated.
