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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dwight Gooden charged with driving on drugs in N.J.


Associated Press

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — Former Major League Baseball star Dwight Gooden has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs and leaving the scene of an accident.

The former pitcher for the New York Mets and New York Yankees had a child in his vehicle at the time of the two-vehicle crash around 9 a.m. Tuesday, Franklin Lakes police Capt. Joseph Seltenrich said.

Police wouldn't say whose child it was, but they said no one was hurt.

Gooden also was charged with child endangerment and motor vehicle violations, authorities said. They wouldn't release details, including the type of drugs.

Gooden, 45, was released on his own recognizance until a municipal court hearing. It was unclear whether Gooden, who has waged a well-publicized battle with alcohol and drugs, including cocaine, had an attorney.

Gooden had served as a senior vice president with the minor league Newark Bears baseball team, which plays in the Atlantic League. But he left in November 2009 when the Mets invited him to join them at spring training.

"He did great things while he was here," said Tom Cetnar, the Bears' senior vice president. "We're very saddened by the reports we're hearing. We don't have any details on what happened. Doc did right by us and the city of Newark."

Mets spokesman Jay Horowitz said the team "was aware of the situation," but he declined to comment further.