Gibson charged with drink driving

It was only a matter of time, presumably just a case of establishing the precise charges to direct at shamed actor Mel Gibson. Mel has now been charged with drunken driving.

Despite being apologetic and repentant the 50-year-old actor, beset by professional woes and personal demons since his arrest in Malibu, was charged by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office Wednesday with the charges of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

There were three charges in total and the Oscar-winning director is accused of driving under the influence, having a raised blood-alcohol level and having an open alcohol bottle in the car.

Gibson was stopped shortly after 2 a.m. Friday on the Pacific Coast Highway “after a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy allegedly observed him driving his 2006 Lexus LS at more than 85 mph,” a departmental press release reported. The opinion over how this event will affect Gibson’s movie and directing career is divided.

For some celebrities offences only result in greater popularity, others experience a sharp decline in their popularity and in Mel Gibson’s case the spectre of vastly reduced power at the box office looms. Only time will measure the true effect of this incident on Mel Gibson’s film career.