Peter Murphy, former frontman of English goth rock band Bauhaus, has been arrested on suspicion of driving drunk and hit-and-run.
As reported by Glendale News-Press, Murphy was driving a Subaru Forester when he allegedly rear-ended a Mercedes stopped at a traffic light in Glendale, California at approximately 11:48am on 18th March.
The driver of the Mercedes was injured and, according to Glendale Police, eventually taken away in a gurney by local fire personnel. However, the Mercedes driver was able to record Murphy’s number plate before the singer drove away.
An eyewitness to the accident proceeded to follow Murphy from the scene of the incident to Los Angeles. The witness then used their pick-up truck to barricade Murphy’s car and trap the singer until Glendale police arrived to take Murphy into custody.
Police said the eyewitness followed and detained Murphy because “he was afraid [Murphy] would kill someone with his driving”.
When Glendale police arrived on the scene in LA, Murphy reportedly has trouble recalling the time and day and appeared “very confused”. The singer denied drinking was a factor and said the only thing he had taken was prescription antidepressants, also adding he was jet-lagged.
However, once in the patrol car, police discovered a small plastic bag that possibly contained methamphetamine, though Murphy denied the bag was his. Murphy was arrested on “suspicion of causing injuries while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, felony hit-and-run and possessing methamphetamine”.
As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, Murphy remained in custody until 1pm on Tuesday, 19th March in lieu of $500,000 bail. The bail was set at the lofty sum as officers noted the chance of Murphy being a flight risk upon release.
