State Patrol: Ex-Viking Adrian Peterson arrested in Twin Cities for driving drunk with four passengers in his car

Former Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson, in Minneapolis for the team’s draft party, was arrested early Friday on suspicion of drunken driving after he was pulled over for speeding on a Twin Cities highway with four passengers, according to the State Patrol.

The 40-year-old former star running back was spotted about 3:20 a.m. by a trooper in Richfield driving 83 mph in a 55 mph zone while headed south in an Audi Q5 on Hwy. 77 near E. 66th Street, said State Patrol Lt. Mike Lee.

A trooper administered a preliminary breath test at the Hennepin County jail that measured Peterson’s blood alcohol content at 0.14%, nearly twice the legal limit in Minnesota, Lee said.

Peterson, a native of Palestine, Texas, who now lives in suburban Houston, was booked about 5:15 a.m. on a misdemeanor count of fourth-degree driving while impaired. He posted a $4,000 bond a little more than two hours later and was released.

Lee said Peterson cooperated with law enforcement officers during the course of his arrest. Four people were in the vehicle with him, said Lee, who did not disclose their identities.

An arraignment has been scheduled for May 9 in Hennepin County District Court. Records do not list an attorney for Peterson, who did not respond Friday to messages by the Minnesota Star Tribune seeking comment on the allegations.

Vikings officials said they were aware of the arrest but had no further comment.

Peterson’s arrest is the latest of numerous run-ins with law enforcement over the years that have ranged in seriousness from allegations of assaulting his son to failing to wear his seat belt.

Peterson attended the Vikings draft party Thursday night at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis, where he was interviewed on KFAN Radio, the team’s flagship station.

The Vikings provided former players with transportation to and from the draft party, and Peterson left the stadium in the team-provided shuttle at 9 p.m., according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Peterson played for the Vikings from 2007 to 2016 before bouncing to several other teams and ending his career playing one game in 2021 with the Seattle Seahawks.

His career ended with him rushing for 14,918 yards, fifth all-time in the National Football League. His best season rushing was in 2012, when he gained 2,097 yards.

In 2009, police pulled Peterson over on Crosstown Hwy. 62 in Edina for going 109 mph in a 55 mph zone. He pleaded guilty to driving 99 mph.

In 2010, the Pro Bowl running back was pulled over by Eden Prairie police and given a ticket for going 53 mph in a 35 mph zone near where the Vikings training facility was then located.

In 2011, he was stopped in Eden Prairie at Prairie Center Drive and Columbine Road for not wearing his seat belt. That citation came during a state “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign.

Other troubles Peterson has had with the law have been far more serious.

In November 2014, Peterson pleaded no contest in Texas to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault for the harsh disciplining of his 4-year-old son. Peterson admitted during interviews with child protection officials and police that he twice hit his son, once with a belt and once with a switch.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for the balance of that season.

In July 2012, Peterson was apprehended in Houston for allegedly resisting arrest during an argument with police and night club security at “Live! At Bayou Place.” However, the case was dismissed after a Harris County grand jury found a lack of probable cause to uphold the allegation. Peterson denied the claims and said he had been treated unfairly, with police tackling, punching and arresting him.