The son of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, of Tennessee, was busted for alleged drunk driving in Princeton Borough yesterday.
Police said officers pulled over William Harrison Frist, Jr.’s 1999 Chevy outside one of Princeton University’s eateries on Prospect Street at 1:35 a.m. for making an illegal pass.
After a field sobriety test, police said, the university sophomore was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
Police said Frist was legally drunk, but not belligerent.
He did, however, fail the balance test, prompting the arrest, Lt. Dennis McManimon said.
"It’s weird, we don’t get too many university students for drinking and driving," the lieutenant said.
"They usually can walk where ever they want to go."
Sgt. Sharon Papp stopped the car on Prospect Street, after Frist made an illegal pass, and administered the field sobriety test.
Police said he wasn’t able to keep his balance.
Frist was then transported to police headquarters to get the true results.
McManimon said the test revealed his blood alcohol level was over the legal limit of .10.
Police said the department isn’t allowed to reveal the exact test results, but McManimon said it "wasn’t crazy" over the legal limit.
McManimon said his crew quickly matched Frist with his father once they saw his Nashville address.
Police said the 21-year-old history major cooperated with officials and never used his father’s status to speed up the process.
He spent a couple of hours in the borough lock-up during processing and was released on his own recognizance for DWI and several other motor vehicle offenses, police said.
Frist, whose father is a alumni of the Ivy League university, will be back in court on May 24.
"We have no comment," Frist Sr. said through spokesperson Nick Smith. "This is a personal, family issue."
Police weren’t sure where Frist was going at the time of the motor vehicle stop or what the student was drinking.
Officials suspect he might have been driving to one of the campus’ eateries.
Frist is a member of the Tiger Inn -- one of the campus’ more notorious drinking spots for party animals.
He’s also a member of the S.A.E. fraternity and is the University Student Government’s U-Council’s representative for the Class of 2006.
The Senator’s son was unable to be reached for comment from his 1937 Hall room he shares with three other sophomores.
Frist is said to be headed to a summer internship in Washington D.C. after classes conclude in a few weeks.
Trentonian intern Allison Berliner contributed to this report.
