Bruce Springsteen was reportedly arrested in Sandy Hook, New Jersey when he stopped to take photos with fans – then took a shot of tequila offered by one of them in plain sight to police, a music industry insider said.
The Born to Run icon, 71, was riding his motorcycle on the peninsula on Nov. 14 when he “was spotted by fans asking him to drive by and take some photos,” a source close to Springsteen said.
“Bruce stopped, took the photos and then a fan offered him a shot of liquor, which he took while on his bike, which was stationary,” the source said.
“Park police saw what happened and immediately knocked Springsteen over as he drove away.”
The Post was unable to immediately verify this account with the police.
Springsteen was charged with DWI, reckless driving and drinking alcohol in an enclosed area, a National Park Service spokesman said.
The Asbury Park Press reported that Springsteen’s blood alcohol content was 0.02 – just a quarter of the New Jersey legal limit – when he was arrested.
The legal threshold in New Jersey is 0.08, which, according to the outlet, calls into question why Springsteen was charged with drunk driving.
News of the bust broke just days after Springsteen appeared, telling a Super Bowl spot for Jeep, pleading with Americans to move to the political “center” in the spirit of unity amid the recent bitter divisions.
The ad has since been pulled from Jeep’s YouTube page.