Here’s a story that gets messier with every detail. Top Chef champion Kelsey Clark was arrested for DUI earlier this week. She got busted after crashing her car into a mailbox, leaving it totally obliterated. The extra dash of mess on this story? Her kids were in the car while it all happened. That’s the perfect recipe for a night in jail.
Kelsey Clark “reeked of booze” according to a TMZ report
According to a report from TMZ, the drama went down in Dothan, Alabama, where the Top Chef champ owns a restaurant. Cops got called to a residential neighborhood after she allegedly drove her car straight through a mailbox. Photos from the scene show a trail of debris along the side of the street.
When the cops showed up, they said that Kelsey “reeked of booze.” They gave her some field sobriety tests, which apparently didn’t go in her favor.
Local Alabama news outlet WBRC also reported on the incident, speaking directly with cops. Their report confirmed that Kelsey’s two children, an 8-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter, were in the car at the time of the crash.
That detail could make this situation worse for Kelsey. Driving while under the influence is obviously a crime in itself. Having a child under 14 while you’re driving under the influence elevates the charge to an “aggravated circumstance” under Alabama law. It’s currently unclear if prosecutors will seek the enhanced charges.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash. The kids were allowed to go home with a family member while the cops hauled Kelsey off to jail. They booked her for DUI, joining the long list of Bravo stars who have been busted for drunk driving.
Kelsey rose to fame on Season 16 of Top Chef, ultimately being crowned the winner. Since then, she’s authored multiple cookbooks and also appears on Netflix’s Next Gen Chef as a judge.
Top Chef is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO KELSEY’S DUI CHARGES? DO YOU THINK SHE CAN TURN THINGS AROUND AFTER THIS LOW MOMENT?
