Sam Hunt Apologizes After DUI Arrest: ‘It Won’t Happen Again’
Sam Hunt has issued a statement after his Thursday morning (Nov. 21) arrest for driving under the influence in east Nashville. The singer called his decision to drive after drinking "selfish" and apologized to everyone who was put at risk.
"Thursday night I decided to drive myself home after drinking at a friend’s show in downtown Nashville," Hunt writes on social media one day later, on Friday afternoon. "It was a poor and selfish decision and I apologize to everyone who was unknowingly put at risk and let down by it. It won’t happen again."
Hunt was booked in Nashville's Metro jail at approximately 6:30AM on Thursday morning after police responded to reports that a vehicle was seen swerving near Ellington Parkway and Ben Allen Rd. in East Nashville. The "Kinfolks" singer allegedly had two open containers of beer in the car with him and smelled of alcohol. He also had bloodshot eyes and offered his credit card when asked for a driver's license.
Per WKRN-TV, the 34-year-old's blood alcohol level was .173 — twice the legal limit of .08 in Tennessee. Three hours after being jailed, Hunt was released on a $2,500 bond. He'll appear in court on Jan. 17, 2020.
The arrest came as Hunt returned to music after a full year off to rest and write his next album, expected in 2020. "Kinfolks" is a Top 20 hit and his first single in a year. Talking to Taste of Country prior to the 2019 CMA Awards last week, Hunt shared that his new album will include plenty of heartbreak. In fact, "Kinfolks" may be his only new love song, as it's still hard for him to write love songs, even after being married to Hannah Lee Fowler since 2017.
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