Lewis is charged with October DUI

Sonics forward Rashard Lewis was charged Monday with driving under the influence of alcohol after being pulled over by a State Patrol trooper more than two months ago, just three days before training camp began.

In charging documents, King County prosecutors said Lewis, 26, was driving a BMW in a convoy of vehicles speeding on eastbound Interstate 90 toward Mercer Island shortly before 3 a.m. on Oct. 1 when he and the driver of another vehicle were pulled over. The trooper noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the BMW driven by Lewis, which also had two passengers, according to a State Patrol report.

Lewis, who reportedly told police he'd had only one drink, agreed to perform sobriety tests, according to the report. But the report notes he "had a hard time standing in one place prior to taking tests" and had to "take steps to regain his balance."

According to police, Lewis and the drivers of a Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Impala and a Cadillac were hitting 84 mph when the BMW and the Explorer were pulled over. The posted speed limit on that stretch of I-90 is 60 mph. According to police and prosecutors, Lewis had a blood alcohol level of .132, above the state's legal limit of .08, about an hour after he was pulled over.

Prosecutors said driving while under the influence is a gross misdemeanor, which brings a minimum of one day in jail, up to a $5,000 fine and a mandatory 90-day license suspension. An arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 19.

Lewis didn't return messages on Monday, but issued a statement: "I have been charged with a traffic offense involving alcohol. I have cooperated fully. ... Since the charge is pending, my attorney and I are working together to resolve this situation. In the meantime, I do not have any further comment."

Sonics general manager Rick Sund said he would not comment until the matter is resolved. The NBA also will wait until legal proceedings conclude. If found guilty, Lewis may be in violation of the league's drug policy.

It is uncertain if he would be subject to team penalties since the incident occurred during the offseason.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com; Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com.