Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman was arrested at 3:05 a.m. today and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
Thurman was arrested in the 3800 block of Kellogg Avenue in the East End. He was brought to a checkpoint operated by the Cincinnati Police and Ohio State Patrol and submitted to a breath test.
Thurman registered a .17, which is considered a high-tier reading, said Officer Stephen Lawson of the Cincinnati Police Traffic Section.
Under Ohio law, a person is presumed intoxicated at .08 percent blood alcohol content.
Thurman was released to a sober driver, Lawson said.
Thurman was one of several Bengals players in Thurman’s 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe.
The identification of other Bengals players riding in the vehicle was not immediately available, Lawson said.
Thurman, 23, was the only occupant charged with DUI, the officer said.
Thurman is currently serving a four-game suspension for a second violation of the NFL substance abuse policy, stemming from a failed test, which was believed to be a missed test.
He is eligible to come off the suspended list and return to practice Oct. 2, one week from today.
The Bengals played their third game Sunday, a 28-20 victory at Pittsburgh, to improve to 3-0.
Thurman, under terms of his suspension, is not allowed to be in the stadium on game day. The team flew home on a charter flight immediately after the game, and Thurman was believed to have hooked up with some teammates to celebrate the victory.
The Bengals’ standing policy is to not comment on players’ legal issues until they are resolved in the court system.
If convicted, Thurman would be subject to additional NFL discipline, including a fine or longer suspension.