Britney Spears, 44, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following an hour-long police pursuit on a California highway, according to a 911 dispatch call. The pop star was taken into custody by the California Highway Patrol at approximately 9.30pm on Wednesday (05.03.26) in Ventura County after officers tracked a car weaving between lanes on Highway 101.
The pursuit began at about 8.13pm when dispatchers received reports of a vehicle braking erratically and swerving across the freeway. Officers eventually stopped the vehicle shortly after 9.13pm, when dispatch confirmed that the driver had exited the car. The vehicle was identified as a 2026 black BMW convertible.
In a 911 dispatch recording obtained by the Daily Mail, officers described the unfolding incident. One dispatcher said: “A black sedan, erratic braking, swerving and driving with no tail light.” Another officer asked colleagues: “Can we send all units down towards this area please?” as updates on the car’s location were relayed.
Following the stop, officers discussed requesting a Drug Recognition Expert – a specialist trained by the California Highway Patrol to assess whether a driver is impaired. TMZ later reported that an unknown substance was allegedly discovered in the vehicle and would be included in the arrest report.
Ventura County sheriff records show Britney was released and is scheduled to appear in court on 4 May. This is not her first brush with the law; she was cited in 2007 for a hit-and-run and in 2008 for driving without a valid California licence, both cases later dismissed.
Britney shares two sons with her former husband Kevin Federline, 47 — Sean Preston Federline, 20, and Jayden James Federline, 19 – who live in Hawaii with Kevin. Her personal life has been closely scrutinised since her widely publicised breakdown in 2007 and the 13-year conservatorship that ended in November 2021.
