911 call reveals Britney Spears was arrested on suspicion of DUI after hour-long police pursuit
According to a 911 dispatch call, Britney Spears was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after an hour-long police pursuit on a California highway.
Britney Spears was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after an hour-long police pursuit on a California highway, according to a 911 dispatch call.
The pop star, 44, was taken into custody by the California Highway Patrol at about 9.30pm on Wednesday (05.03.26) in Ventura County after officers tracked a car weaving between lanes on Highway 101, with Ventura County sheriff records showing Britney was later released and is scheduled to appear in court on 4 May.
The pursuit began at about 8.13pm when dispatchers received reports of a vehicle braking erratically and swerving across the freeway.
Officers eventually stopped the vehicle shortly after 9.13pm, when dispatch confirmed that the driver had exited the car. The Daily Mail reported that police identified the vehicle as a 2026 black BMW convertible.
In a 911 dispatch recording obtained by the outlet, officers described the unfolding incident as they tracked the vehicle along the highway.
One dispatcher said: “A black sedan, erratic braking, swerving and driving with no tail light.”
Another officer asked colleagues: “Can we send all units down towards this area please?” as updates on the car’s location were relayed over the call.
Dispatchers later confirmed the vehicle’s details before officers approached the driver.
Around 9.13pm, a dispatcher stated: “Driver is out of the vehicle.”
An officer added shortly afterwards: “Talking with the driver.”
Following the stop, officers on the call discussed next steps, including requesting a Drug Recognition Expert – a specialist trained by the California Highway Patrol to assess whether a driver is impaired.
In the recording, another officer is heard trying to arrange for the expert to attend the scene as quickly as possible.
Shortly after the dispatch audio became public, TMZ reported an unknown substance was allegedly discovered in the vehicle and would be included in the arrest report.
Britney shares two sons with her former husband Kevin Federline, 47 — Sean Preston Federline, 20, and Jayden James Federline, 19 – who live in Hawaii with Kevin.
In February, Britney was photographed driving in Los Angeles while appearing to hold a mobile phone to her face, which is prohibited under California’s “No Touch” law.
No charges were brought in connection with that incident.
Police have also previously responded to other incidents involving Britney.
In 2023, law enforcement visited her home over a video she posted involving knives, though no charges were filed.
Earlier in her career, Britney was cited in 2007 over a hit-and-run involving a parked car, a case later dismissed after she paid an undisclosed sum, according to reports at the time. In 2008 she was cited for driving without a valid California licence, which was also later dismissed by a judge.
Britney’s personal life has been closely scrutinised for nearly two decades following a widely publicised breakdown in 2007 and the conservatorship placed over her in 2008.
The legal arrangement, initially overseen by her father Jamie Spears, lasted 13 years before ending in November 2021.
In a social media post earlier this year, Britney wrote: “I'm incredibly lucky to even be alive with how my family treated me once in my life and now I'm scared of them.
“They will never take responsibility for what they did. We can forgive as people but u don't ever forget.”
