JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jacksonville University and NBA basketball player Artis Gilmore was arrested overnight, charged with DUI, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The FHP told Channel 4 that Gilmore, 57, was arrested after he was involved in a single-car crash on Touchton Road East, near the Tinseltown complex on Southside Boulevard, about 3 a.m.
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According to reports, Gilmore's car jumped the curb, struck a tree, then flipped onto its roof. Gilmore was alone in the car and not injured in the accident.
"The trooper noticed a strong alcoholic odor coming from the driver," FHP Lt. Bill Leeper said. "The only thing he states is he had a few glasses of wine and headed home."
According to the arrest report, Gilmore failed a field-sobriety test. After his arrest, Gilmore's blood alcohol was measured was measured at 0.14, considerably higher than the legal limit of 0.08.
Gilmore was booked into the Duval County jail on a charge of misdemeanor DUI, then released on his own recognizance. Leeper said the charge was a misdemeanor because no other cars were involved in the crash.
The person who answered the phone at Gilmore's home Wednesday said he wasn't home, then hung up. His boss at W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors told Channel 4's Victoria Warren that he had spoken to Gilmore since the crash, but declined further comment.
Gilmore led the J.U. Dolphins to the NCAA title game in 1970 and his college career average of 22.7 rebounds per game remains the highest in Division I.
Nicknamed "The A-Train" for his unpretentious but dominating style of play, Gilmore once played in 670 consecutive games during his professional career that spanned the Chicago Bulls, The San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics.
Gilmore remains the NBA's career leader in field goal percentage, with a 58.2 percentage. He played in six NBA All-Star games and is one of few MVPs not elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame.