Considering he had just filmed a (very expensive) ad for Jeep that reportedly cost $20 million to make, the news of Bruce Springsteen's arrest for DWI (driving while intoxicated) couldn't have broken at a worse time.

The legendary musician was arrested back in November 2020 in the Gateway National Recreation Area, and was subsequently charged with  driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and consuming alcohol in a closed area.

Yesterday, he appeared via an online link in a New Jersey courtroom to answer the charges, pleading guilty to the 'consuming alcohol in a closed area' one. However, the more serious charges of reckless driving and driving while intoxicated were dismissed due to 'lack of evidence'. Springsteen told the judge that he had taken two 'small shots of tequila' after he had pulled over on his motorbike to take photos with fans. He was later stopped by a park ranger.

Since the news first broke, there have been multiple conflicting reports; one quoted a law enforcement report that said his blood alcohol level had been at 0.2 (the legal limit is 0.8) and a source said that he had done the shots of tequila in full view of police officers - although he refused to be breathalysed on the spot, instead waiting until he had gotten to the ranger station.

However, TMZ later reported that legal documents (which they did not publish) claimed that “an officer watched Bruce take a shot of Patron Tequila, hop on his motorcycle and start the engine. The officer says he informed Bruce drinking was prohibited in the area and observed the 750 ml bottle of Patron was empty. Springsteen allegedly told the cop he’d only had 2 shots of tequila in the last 20 minutes, the officer says he smelled strongly of alcohol and his eyes were glassy.”

In any case, his attorney asked the judge to dismiss the more serious charges as the government could not sustain its burden of proof - but the lesser charge of consuming alcohol in a closed area remained.

Springsteen was ordered by the judge to pay a $540 fine, to which he replied: “I think I can pay that immediately, your honour.”

He has yet to comment publicly on the case.