US Airways CEO Arrested on DUI Charge

US Airways chief executive Doug Parker is shown in this Jan. 31, 2007, booking photo provided by the Scottsdale Police Department. Police confirmed Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, that Parker was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving hours after his airline's $9.8 billion bid for Delta Air Lines was rejected last week. (AP Photo/Scottsdale Police) (AP)

PHOENIX -- US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving just hours after his airline's $9.8 billion bid for Delta Air Lines was rejected, Scottsdale police confirmed Friday.

Meanwhile, a newspaper reported that Parker had a previous DUI conviction in 1991 when he worked for American Airlines in Dallas, and Parker admitted to two other alcohol-related incidents.

Parker, 45, was pulled over at 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 after leaving a party at the FBR Open golf tournament in Scottsdale, police Sgt. Mark Clark said. Parker was pulled over for driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit of 45 mph.

Results released Friday show Parker had a blood-alcohol level of 0.096, according to Clark. The legal limit in Arizona is 0.08.

According to a police report, Parker told police he had three beers during a two-hour period.

The arresting officer, Ben Roberson, wrote in the police report that Parker had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and alcohol on his breath. Parker refused to take a breathalyzer test, the report shows.

The officer performed roadside sobriety tests and arrested Parker. He then took Parker to a DUI task force post for booking and to have blood drawn for an alcohol-level test. Before the test was given, the report shows Parker asked to speak with a lawyer who also had been a passenger in his black BMW when he was pulled over.

The lawyer told Parker over the phone to take the test, the report shows.

Parker, a husband and father of three children who lives in the posh town of Paradise Valley, was cited for DUI and driving at an imprudent speed and released the night of his arrest. Police called a taxi for him and had his car towed.

Parker is scheduled to appear in Scottsdale Municipal Court on Feb. 21.

The Arizona Republic reported Friday that after Parker was arrested by Dallas police in January 1991 on suspicion of drunken driving, he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of DUI and was given a probated sentence of 30 days in jail, two years probation and a $250 fine.

Parker worked for American Airlines from 1986-91, was at Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis from 1991-95 and then joined Tempe-based America West Airlines as its chief financial officer. He became America West's CEO in September 2001 and the carrier acquired US Airways in 2005.