Former NBA star Paul Pierce was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of driving under the influence after California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers found him asleep behind the wheel on U.S. Highway 101, authorities said.
CHP said officers were clearing a multi-vehicle crash on the northbound side of 101 and had several lanes closed during the investigation. When lanes reopened roughly an hour later, a Range Rover remained stopped in live traffic south of the crash scene.
Officers approached and found the driver, identified as Pierce, asleep and conducted a DUI evaluation. He was taken into custody on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI. The case will be forwarded to the Los Angeles city attorney for review.
Local outlets reported Pierce was cited and released. No injuries were reported in connection with the arrest. Additional details, including blood-alcohol results and a court date, were not immediately available.
Pierce, 47, played 19 NBA seasons from 1998-2017, including 15 with the Boston Celtics. A 10-time All-Star and the 2008 Finals MVP, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. He also had stints with the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers.
Since retiring, Pierce has worked as an on-air analyst. Most recently, he co-hosted Fox Sports’ “Speak” before the show was canceled in July 2025.
–Field Level Media
