The Lightning defenseman is arrested the day after the birth of his first son.
By KATHRYN WEXLER and DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published May 21, 2003
TAMPA - Lightning defenseman Stan Neckar was arrested and charged early Tuesday with driving under the influence, a day after his wife gave birth to a boy, the couple's second child.
Neckar didn't have his headlights on as he steered his 2003 Lincoln Navigator north on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard about 3:30 a.m., police spokeswoman Katie Hughes said. That caught the attention of officers on a DUI squad, who pulled him over, Hughes said.
Neckar, 27, was charged with one count of driving under the influence, a second-degree misdemeanor. He posted $250 bond and was released Tuesday.
Neckar said he had three beers at a bar with a buddy after leaving his wife and new son at the hospital.
"I feel very badly and that the Tampa Bay Lightning team is involved," Neckar said by phone from his Tampa home. "I am sorry about it and feel badly for my family. Even when I think I can drive, I shouldn't drive. I have my wife and I have my kids. I should know better."
Neckar was paid $1.2-million this season, and his two-year, $2.1-million contract is set to expire June 30. It is not believed the offense will impact contract negotiations, though Lightning general manager Jay Feaster did not expound beyond a statement read Tuesday:
"Obviously, we are very concerned for Stan and his family, but before commenting further the Tampa Bay Lightning intends on respecting the player and legal system, and we will defer until the matter is completely resolved."
Neckar has no other moving violations on his Florida driving record but will have to undergo a routine evaluation by doctors as part of a substance abuse intervention program administered by the NHL and the Players Association.
Neckar's wife, Shawna, gave birth to a son, Ty, Monday morning, Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett said. The couple also has a daughter, Ella, who will be 2 in July.
When officers pulled over Neckar they smelled alcohol on his breath, Hughes said. They asked him to get out of the car and perform a few roadside sobriety tests. He failed, Hughes said, and Neckar was taken to the Hillsborough County jail for booking.
He agreed to take two routine breath tests to determine the amount of alcohol in his system.
A person with a blood alcohol content of .08 is presumed too impaired to drive a car. Neckar's tests measured .096 and .089, "right at the limit," Hughes said.
Neckar was acquired by the Lightning in March 2001 from the Coyotes as part of the deal that brought goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. He was one of the team's most improved defensemen this season and had one goal, four assists and 43 penalty minutes in 70 games. He has two goals, 13 assists and 75 penalty minutes in 163 games with the Lightning.
Officers who arrested him put in a good word about him.
"They said he was very polite, very cooperative," Hughes said.
- Times researcher Kitty Bennett contributed to this report.
