Reports: Star Failed Sobriety Test

Wednesday, May 28, 1997 7:05 am EDT

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- Tim Allen failed several sobriety tests after police stopped him for driving his 1988 Ferrari at 70 mph in a 40 mph zone in this Detroit suburb, according to newspaper reports today.

No charges have been filed.

Allen was scheduled to be arraigned today, The Detroit News reported.

The 43-year-old entertainer appeared unsteady when he was stopped, he smelled of alcohol, and he failed sobriety tests that included reciting the alphabet, counting backwards and standing on one leg, The Oakland Press and the News reported. They cited a police report.

Allen also reportedly agreed to take a preliminary alcohol breath test, which showed his blood-alcohol content was 0.16 percent. A later test indicated a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 percent, the Press reported. A level of 0.10 percent is considered legally drunk in Michigan.

The actor was in Baltimore filming a movie and was unavailable for comment, said his Los Angeles-based publicist Marleah Leslie.

Allen, whose real name is Timothy Alan Dick, has a home in the Detroit suburb of Beverly Hills. He was held for three hours at the township police station after he was stopped at 9:15 p.m. Friday, and was released after his attorney posted $100 bond, the Press said.

Allen, who scored a megahit with the film "The Santa Clause," plays a befuddled macho dad on ABC's top-rated sitcom "Home Improvement." He also wrote the best-selling book "Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man."

Another court hearing was scheduled for June 25.

© Copyright 1997 The Associated Press