Police: Cardinals exec Ron Minegar nearly fell over before DUI arrest

Suspended Arizona Cardinals executive Ron Minegar’s blood alcohol content (BAC) following his Aug. 10 arrest under suspicion of driving under the influence was 0.199, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08, the Chandler Police Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.

On Aug. 14, the department released details of Minegar’s arrest on suspicion of DUI four days earlier.

Police received a call from a citizen about an erratic driver on East Pecos Road just west of Gilbert Road on Aug. 10.

Minegar, the Cardinals executive vice president and chief operations officer, was pulled over around 11:30 p.m. by an officer who observed him speeding, failing to stay in a lane and driving in the bicycle lane.

According to the report, a witness who called police followed Minegar’s vehicle to assist police.

The witness told officers that the Chevy Tahoe that Minegar was driving was traveling 60-65 mph, driving in and out of lanes and erratically switching lanes. The witness stated that the Tahoe nearly collided with a motorcycle, which had to take “evasive actions to avoid being hit,” and also came close to running into a sidewalk.

Once pulled over, Minegar admitted to police that he consumed three or four drinks that evening. Multiple officers noted that he had alcohol on his breath, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and a flushed face.

One officer issued a horizontal gaze nystagmus test and had to instruct Minegar multiple times not to move his head and to follow a pen with his eyes only. Minegar lost his balance during the test, and officers had to catch him while falling.

Minegar was also issued a walk-and-turn test and a one-leg stand test, both of which were ended by officers to avoid him from injuring himself, as his balance was poor. Minegar refused a breath test and was taken to a station for processing.

Results of Minegar’s blood test have yet to be released.

The Cardinals said in a statement after the arrest that Minegar, 60, faces “serious consequences.”

“He made the decision to drive after drinking alcohol and is fortunate that he was pulled over before injuring anyone or himself,” read the team’s statement from Sunday. “According to MADD, drunk driving results in almost 11,000 deaths per year and is the number one cause of fatalities on roadways. We fully recognize the seriousness of these actions and they will have serious consequences.”

Minegar is entering his 20th season with the team. He is responsible for overseeing the development of the club’s annual strategic plan and all aspects of the Cardinals’ business operations, according to his bio on the team’s website.

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