Heather Locklear gets a DUI

TMZ has learned Heather Locklear was arrested yesterday on suspicion of driving while impaired. Locklear was pulled over while driving in the Santa Barbara area.

Law enforcement officers tell us alcohol was not involved, however they are conducting tests to determine if Locklear was under the influence of drugs. We’re told she was released on her own recognizance, without having to post bail.

This could set up a bizarre custody battle given that Locklear and ex hubby Richie Sambora have both been busted for similar charges.

Sambora pleaded no contest to DUI back in March — his daughter Ava was in the car at the time he was popped. We’re told Heather’s kids were not in the car when she was arrested. In June, Heather checked herself into an Arizona medical facility to fight anxiety and depression.

[From TMZ]

There was some speculation that Locklear’s depression/anxiety was just a cover for being treated for a drug and/or alcohol problem. According to the National Enquirer, Heather’s quietly dealt with alcoholism for years. Though people who aren’t alcoholics can certainly get DUIs, this does lend a little more credibility to that rumor.

TMZ points out that Locklear’s ex-husband Richie Sambora got a DUI in March. You can’t help but feel really badly for their daughter Ava. Though both he and Locklear have managed to keep decent reputations despite their issues, this must take a toll on their child. She’s got two parents that are each in some kind of chaos, whether it’s addiction or mental health issues. And it’s very possibly both.

Normally it’s sort of a cliché when a celebrity checks themselves into rehab right after a DUI arrest. But since Heather’s been in some sort of treatment recently, it’d probably be a really, really good idea to do that.

Here’s Heather and Richie with their daughter Ava before their divorce. Images thanks to WENN.

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