Jennifer Barrios, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. –
Newly signed New York Knicks point guard Jason Kidd was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated early Sunday after his sport utility vehicle struck a utility pole in Water Mill.
Southampton Police said Kidd’s 2010 Cadillac Escalade hit the pole and went into a wooded area at 1:56 a.m. near Cobb Road and Little Cobb Road.
Kidd, 39, was the only occupant of the vehicle, police said in a statement. He was arrested after he refused to take a breath test, said Bob Clifford, spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.
Kidd was taken to Southampton Hospital to be treated for minor injuries, then transported to police headquarters to be processed on the misdemeanor charge.
He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance, police said.
Kidd’s attorney Edward Burke Jr. of Sag Harbor, said in a text message to Newsday that “I entered a not-guilty plea and await further court proceedings. That’s all I am indicating to press at this time.”
Police Chief William Wilson declined to comment on the case, pending his review of the police report.
The NBA said in a text message that the league will “monitor the situation.”
On Saturday night, Kidd had attended a benefit honoring movie director George Lucas at a private residence in East Hampton.
Kidd, a 10-time All-Star, signed a 3-year contract with the Knicks on Thursday. He holds career averages of 13.0 points, 9.0 assists and 6.4 rebounds over 18 seasons with Dallas, Phoenix and New Jersey.
If the Knicks match the Houston Rockets’ $25.1 million contract for Jeremy Lin, Knicks coach Mike Woodson said last week that Lin will get the starting nod at point guard over Kidd. The Knicks have until Tuesday to match the Rockets’ offer.
The team, playing a summer league game in Las Vegas, had no immediate comment about Kidd’s arrest.