ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Retired Major League Baseball star and Windermere resident Johnny Damon is apologizing after he was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on Friday.
Windermere police arrested Damon for drunk driving and arrested his wife Michelle for battery on an officer early Friday morning following a traffic stop.
Records show Damon tested way above the legal limit for alcohol.
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Police noted in their report that they informed him the breath alcohol test performed on him revealed he was nearly 4 times the legal limit.
The test was performed after he was pulled over for driving erratically through the streets of Windermere.
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Walking out of the Orange County Jail, Damon seemed to regret his arrest.
“I apologize and hopefully I can answer more questions later on,” Damon said.
An outstanding ball player, the Dr. Phillips High School grad spent 18 years in the major leagues, winning titles with the Red Sox and Yankees.
Off the field, his foundation works to help disadvantaged children at risk.
Damon’s public persona is now taking a hit with an arrest for DUI and resisting arrest without violence.
Windermere police saw his SUV heading west into town on Conroy Windermere Road, crossing the double yellow line.
On Main Street, police said he struck a curb and once on Chase Road nearly struck a guardrail.
Officers stopped Damon outside the Lake Butler Sound community. His wife Michelle was in the passenger seat.
Police noted Damon “was extremely unsteady on his feet and his speech was extremely slurred.”
He told police he’d been at the London House, a private club, and had “just a little bit” to drink.
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Records show Damon blew a 0.300 and .294. Officers informed Damon “his breath results were nearly four times the legal limit.”
At one point his wife, Michelle Mangan-Damon, broke free from police and ran toward the community guard house.
Both were arrested.
“I really can’t say much because it’s an ongoing thing, but I will never put myself, my loved ones or put anybody in harm’s way getting behind a vehicle,” Damon said.
There is body camera footage of the traffic stop, although the main officer on scene indicated his camera was knocked off while scuffling with the Damons.
Police said it may take up to two weeks before the video is ready to be released.
Cox Media Group
