Tuesday, 12 December 2006

Nicole Richie said she'd smoked pot, taken Vicodin

Simple Life star co-operates with police after her arrest

Nicole Richie, arrested by the California Highway Patrol early Monday on suspicion of driving under the influence, admitted to officers that she had smoked marijuana and consumed the painkiller Vicodin, Altadena CHP Officer Todd Workman tells PEOPLE.

Richie was arrested after CHP officers responded at 12:31 a.m. Monday to two 911 callers who reported seeing a 2005 black Mercedes SUV going the wrong way on the 134 Highway, says Workman.

The Simple Life star, 25, was alone and talking on her cell phone when officers approached her car. "She told (them) she was lost, and had been following a friend," Workman tells PEOPLE. Richie was put through a series of field sobriety tests, which she failed. "She was not given a Breathalyzer because the officers didn't believe she was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage."

Richie was booked in Glendale and "was cooperative," said agent John Balian of the local police force, adding that her booking sheet showed she is 5'1" and 85 lbs. (Though her actual driver's license said she weighs 100 lbs., Richie offered the details on her weight to the officers.) Her bail was posted at $15,000 and she was released at 7:17 a.m.