Los Angeles law enforcement sources are shedding more light on Kiefer Sutherland’s most recent arrest after the “24” star allegedly threatened to kill his Uber driver this week.
The two-time Emmy winner, 59, was arrested for felony criminal threats just after midnight on Monday. He was released later that day on $50,000 bond and is due back in L.A. County Superior Court on Feb. 2, according to online records.
The “Designated Survivor” star was in an Uber, on his way home from dinner with a friend, when he claims he instructed the driver to pull over, though the latter refused to do so after three such requests, law enforcement sources told TMZ. Sutherland allegedly then threatened to kill the driver if he didn’t oblige.
Some of the particulars of the incident remain unclear. Sources told TMZ the driver never accused the actor of injuring him, but also leveled allegations of assault.
Authorities believe a potential language barrier may account for some of what transpired, given the driver requested a translator once LAPD arrived and appears to count Russian or Armenian as his native tongue.
Sutherland has faced a handful of legal issues over the past several decades, often with regard to drunk driving, as well as a physical altercation.
Sutherland reportedly took part in 211 hours of community service after pleading no contest to a 1993 DUI arrest. He also pleaded no contest with regard to a 1989 arrest for DUI and carrying a concealed and loaded weapon.
In 2004, Sutherland was sentenced to five years probation, fined $500 and ordered to take part in an alcohol treatment program after once again pleading no contest to drunk driving. He later spent 48 days in jail for a 2007 DUI and was also arrested in 2020 on suspicion of DUI when he failed a field sobriety test after getting pulled over for an illegal U-turn in Hollywood.
In 2009, fashion designer Jack McCollough dropped charges against Sutherland for allegedly head-butting him at a New York party.
