Peter Murphy, the former lead singer for U.K. goth pioneers Bauhaus, was behind bars yesterday in Southern California, according to the Glendale News Press (via Slicing Up Eyeballs). Police set the bail at $500,000 over concerns that Murphy, who lives in Turkey, might flee to avoid charges. Officials said he was arrested on suspicion of DUI, felony hit-and-run, and meth possession.

The arrest came after an eyewitness trailed Murphy from the crash in Glendale to Los Angeles and then got in his way until the police showed up, Glendale police told the News Press. Stirring dark humor on Twitter was the report that Murphy was driving a Subaru Forester when his car allegedly hit a Mercedes around 11:48 a.m. on Saturday.

Police said Murphy seemed “very confused” but denied consuming alcohol, acknowledging just that he had taken his usual depression prescription. Police also said Murphy told them air travel had left him jet-lagged. A small plastic bag that might have contained meth was allegedly found inside the Los Angeles police car where he was being held until Glendale police arrived. Though Murphy said the bag wasn’t his, Glendale police told the News Press they thought he was trying to ditch it.

Run-ins with the law are never fortunate, but Murphy’s could hardly come at a worse time. Earlier this month, he announced a 49-date North American and European tour. To commemorate Bauhaus’ 35th anniversary, he said he would only be playing Bauhaus songs, which include the 1979 genre breakthrough “Bela Lugosi’s Dead.”

Murphy’s official Twitter account hasn’t been updated yet. It wasn’t clear at press time if Murphy had yet been formally charged. An e-mail to his management wasn’t immediately returned.