Police arrested Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay late Sunday night on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and for possession of Schedule IV prescription drugs. Irsay faces four counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, according to both the Indianapolis Star and ESPN.
Police in Carmel, Ind., initially pulled Irsay over at 11:41 p.m. after observing him driving at a slow rate of speed, stopping in the roadway and failing to signal a turn. Irsay, 54, "subsequently failed several roadside field sobriety tests," according to a press release from Carmel Police Lt. Joe Bickel.
Upon searching Irsay's vehicle, "multiple prescription drugs were discovered in pill bottles," Bickle said in the release, via The Star. "These Schedule IV prescription drugs were not associated with any prescription bottles found in the vehicle."
Irsay, 54, faces four counts of felony possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $22,500, which he's expected to post Monday afternoon.
While it's uncertain what prescription drugs were found in Irsay's possession, the Colts owner admitted in 2002 to having a dependency on painkillers, which he sought help for.
"After several years of orthopedic operations and procedures, accompanied by long bouts of chornic pain, I became dependent on prescription pain medications," Irsay said in a 2002 statement, via The Star. "This summer I sought professional help at a nationally recognized facility located outside Indiana. I have successfully dealt with my dependence and my chronic pain issues."
Most prescription pain medications are classified as Schedule II drugs. Examples of Schedule IV drugs include Tramadol (Ultram) and benzodiazepines, colloquially known as "downers," such as alprazolam (Xanax), zolpidem (Ambien), clonazepam (Klonopin).
The Colts, in a statement released on Monday, said they are currently gathering information about the incident.
