Britney Spears slapped with DUI after hour-long Pacific Coast Highway chase

Pop singer Britney Spears was arrested Wednesday night after authorities say she drove erratically along a California highway before being pulled over by law enforcement. A police chase that lasted about an hour and involved multiple officers took place.

According to Ventura County records, Spears, 44, was taken into custody by the California Highway Patrol around 9:30 pm in Ventura County after driving along Highway 101. Officials said she was weaving in and out of lanes during the incident.

Spears has since been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on May 4.

Audio from a 911 dispatch call obtained by the Daily Mail captured officers coordinating the stop while following the vehicle. Dispatchers described the situation as it developed.

“A black sedan, erratic braking, swerving and driving with no tail light,” one dispatcher said during the call.

As officers tracked the vehicle’s movement along the freeway, another voice requested additional support. “Can we send all units down towards this area please,” the officer said.

Authorities later identified the car as a “2026 black BMW convertible,” according to the dispatch recording. The pursuit reportedly began around 8:13 pm, with officers observing the vehicle moving across lanes on the freeway. Roughly an hour later, dispatch confirmed the driver had exited the vehicle. “Driver is out of the vehicle,” a dispatcher said at about 9:13 pm. Officers then made contact with Spears. “Talking with the driver,” one officer said in the recording as they approached the car.

After the stop, officers discussed calling a Drug Recognition Expert, commonly referred to as a DRE. specialists are trained by the California Highway Patrol to evaluate whether a driver may be impaired. Shortly after the dispatch audio became public, TMZ reported that an unknown substance was allegedly found inside Spears’ vehicle and would be included in the arrest report.

In a statement provided to the Daily Mail, a representative for Spears said: “This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable. Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law, and hopefully this can be the first step in the long-overdue changes that need to occur in her life.

“Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.

“Her boys are going to be spending time with her, and her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue plan to set her up for success and wellbeing.”