Christina Aguilera, Boyfriend Released From Custody

Authorities said the singer was detained near a West Hollywood club

Singer Christina Aguilera was detained after a traffic stop and the driver of the car in which she was riding was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, the LA County Sheriff's Department confirmed.

Sheriff's officials said Aguilera, a passenger in the Ford Mustang, was not arrested, but she was detained because she appeared intoxicated. Sheriff's officials said Aguilera and the driver, identified in reports as her 25-year-old boyfriend Matthew Rutler, were stopped near a West Hollywood club.

"The reason why we stopped him is because he did an exhibition of speed," said sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore. "In layman's terms, he was burning rubber."

Deputy Bill McSweeney said Aguilera appeared to be extremely intoxicated and unable to look after her own welfare. Whitmore said the two were taken into custody near Sunset Boulevard and Clark Street.

"She was not capable of taking care of herself," said Whitmore. "She was cooperative, she was not belligerent in any way.

"Technically, there is an arrest. She will have a record of public intoxication arrest. However, law allows for no desire to prosecute. When people say detained or arrested, technically, it's an arrest, but there was never an intent to prosecute.

"It is just a public safety issue."

An entry on the sheriff's website stated Aguilera was booked on suspicion of a misdemeanor at the West Hollywood sheriff's station.

Whitmore said Aguilera was released at about 7:30 a.m.

Rutler's bail was set at $5,000, according to Whitmore. He was released later Tuesday morning.

Whitmore said the driver's preliminary blood-alcohol content level was .09, according to a field sobriety test. The legal limit in California is .08.


 


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