Michael Ray’s DUI Arrest Reduced to Reckless Driving Charge

The decision came after a result of police error during the arrest.

Written by Kelly Brickey
Michael Ray’s DUI Arrest Reduced to Reckless Driving Charge
Michael Ray; Photo courtesy Essential Broadcast Media

Just months after facing an arrest by police for DUI, Michael Ray will now only be charged with reckless driving for his December incident.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that the legal reduction goes back to police error while responding to the situation. The officers allegedly did not give Ray the proper instructions for sobriety testing, and never told the singer about the further investigation. The body-cam evidence was also never shared, which would have confirmed the reports.

“Body cam footage does not provide a full view of Mr. Roach,” said Supervising Assistant State Attorney for Lake County Walter Forgie in writing. “However, body cam video…shows the Defendant and officer discussing a football game in detail.”

Ray was previously arrested on December 20 at 4 a.m. EST at a McDonald’s drive-thru after running into the vehicle in front of him in line. When police came to the scene, the singer “had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and he stumbled while walking and smelled of alcohol,” according to the original report.

Also found in Ray’s car was a bottle of brown liquid, which he admitted was his own weed oil. While the DUI charge was dropped to a count of reckless driving, the count for felony marijuana possession will still be charged to him.

That night, Ray was held in a Lake County Jail on a $6,000 bail. No word yet on when the hearing for the counts will take place.