US Airways CEO Arrested on Drunk Driving Suspicion

Doug Parker

Doug Parker, the chief executive of US Airways Group , was arrested on Jan. 31 on suspicion of drunk driving and had a blood alcohol level above legal limits in Arizona, a spokesman for the Scottsdale Police Department said Friday.

Police said a blood test showed Douglas Parker had an alcohol level of 0.096%. The legal limit for driving in Arizona is 0.080%.

"I will accept the consequences of my actions, and I will ensure that it doesn't happen again," Parker said in a statement. "In this instance, my actions have not reflected well on US Airways and for that, I apologize."

The arrest occurred hours after Parker, pulled US Airways' bid to acquire larger, bankrupt rival Delta Air Lines after Delta creditors rejected the bid.

Parker, 45, was pulled over at 11:30 p.m. Jan. 31 after leaving a party at the FBR Open golf tournament in Scottsdale, Ariz., Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said.

Police said that officers on a drunk driving task force clocked Parker driving 65 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. speed range in his BMW.

"When the officer pulled Parker over, he noticed the smell of alcohol on his breath, and that he had watery eyes and slurry speech," Clark said.

Clark said officers arrested Parker for suspected drunk driving, then sent him home in a taxi.