DARIEN — Jerry Springer bouncer and talk show host Steve Wilkos turned himself into police Wednesday on charges of driving under the influence.
Darien resident Wilkos, 53, was involved in a one-car accident on Jan. 21around 4 p.m. and was transported to Stamford Hospital. Blood taken at the hospital was obtained by police with a search warrant and revealed Wilko had a blood alcohol level of 0.29 percent, over the legal limit.
Wilkos, speaking to the celebrity gossip website TMZ.com Wednesday night, seemed to admit fault.
“Over the course of my life, I have been struggling with bouts of depression and on the day of my accident, I had a complete lapse in judgment which resulted in me drinking and getting behind the wheel of my car,” he is quoted as saying on TMZ.
According to police, an officer on patrol Jan. 21 discovered a one-car motor vehicle accident on West Avenue in the area of Turnabout Lane. The lone occupant of the vehicle was identified as Wilkos.
Once police secured the medical records an arrest warrant was applied for and granted by the Judge John Blawie of Stamford Superior Court.
After learning there was a warrant for his arrest, Wilkos turned himself in at Darien Police Headquarters, according to a statement from Darien police.
He was charged with operating under the influence and failure to drive right.
Wilkos posted a $1,500 bond, was released at 7:30 p.m.Wednesday and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on March 5.
Wilkos has been the host of “The Steve Wilkos Show” since 2007. The show films in Stamford.
“I feel lucky to be alive after seeing my car. I am so thankful to the first responders from Post 53 and our local police department in Darien, CT, as well as all the wonderful people who took care of me at Stamford Hospital,” Wilkos told Fox News in a statement shortly after the accident in January.