Columnist John L. Smith arrested on charge of DUI

Las Vegas police arrested longtime Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith Saturday night on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Sgt. John Sheahan said Smith's car was observed swerving in the area of U.S. Highway 95 and Ann Road at 11:26 p.m. Smith said he was on northbound U.S. 95 when he was stopped by a motorcycle officer. The officer also reported seeing Smith texting while driving.

The officer who stopped Smith suspected that he had been drinking, Sheahan said. The result of Smith's blood alcohol test was not available. The legal limit is 0.08.

"I got stopped," Smith said Sunday. "I fully cooperated. I'm very embarrassed by this."

Smith, who reported the arrest to Review-Journal management, has worked at the newspaper since 1985. He said he was driving home after attending the Nevada Press Association awards banquet in Pahrump.