Suns broadcaster Tom Chambers arrested in DUI case

Justin Price, William Pitts and Jason Sillman | USA TODAY Sports

Tom Chambers, a former Phoenix Suns player turned commentator, was arrested Saturday in Scottsdale, Ariz., on suspicion of driving under the influence, officials said.

Two nearly empty bottles of beer were found in Chamber's pickup truck, and officers said he smelled of alcohol and behaved "somewhat belligerently," according to a Scottsdale Police report released Wednesday.

The report said Chambers admitted to having a few beers at the Arizona State-Stanford Pac-12 championship game before getting behind the wheel.

He was booked into Scottsdale City Jail on suspicion of DUI and was cited for driving while under the influence to the slightest degree, possessing an open liquor container in a vehicle, failure to drive in a single lane, and driving in the bicycle lane.

Chambers' white GMC pickup first caught an officer's attention by weaving in and out of the far right lane on Scottsdale Road as it drove past Happy Valley Road, according to the report. The officer initiated a traffic stop near Pinnacle Vista Drive.

"The stop was so abrupt, I nearly rear-ended the pickup," the officer wrote.

During the encounter, the officer said Chambers appeared to have bloodshot eyes, a flushed complexion, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol emitting from his person, according to the report.

When asked to perform a sobriety test, Chambers refused, saying, "I can't even do the nose thingy-muh-bobber sober."

He again refused when a second officer arrived and instructed Chambers to perform the test, the report said.

"My attorney told me not to do these tests," Chambers said, according to the report.

Officers drew Chambers' blood at the scene. It wasn't clear Wednesday if results of a test to determine blood-alcohol content were available.

During a search of Chambers' vehicle, one of the officers noticed two opened, still-cold Michelob Ultra Light beers within reach of the driver's seat, according to the report.

The officers handcuffed Chambers after he attempted to walk back to his vehicle, saying, "I know your boss" and "After all I do for Scottsdale PD," the report said.

Chambers issued a statement on Wednesday apologizing for the incident.

"I take my role as a representative with the Suns very seriously and have always held myself to a high standard," Chambers' statement said. "I want to apologize to the Phoenix Suns and its fans for the negative attention this incident has brought upon the organization."

Suns President Jason Rowley acknowledged the incident in a statement saying, "Driving under the influence is a serious matter. However, the legal process is ongoing and we will have no further comment at this time."

Chambers is scheduled to appear at the city's court on Dec. 24.

Price, Pitts and Sillman write for The Arizona Republic in Phoenix, a Gannett affiliate.