The Herald Bulletin

November 19, 2009

Dick Lugar's wife charged in DWI, hit-and-run accident

Charlene Lugar, 76, "deeply sorry and embarassed"

The Associated Press

McLEAN, Va. — The wife of U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., has been charged with drunken driving and hit-and-run after hitting a parked car in northern Virginia.

Fairfax County Police say an officer stopped 76-year-old Charlene Lugar Wednesday evening at a McLean intersection after seeing damage to her car and smoke coming from the hood. Police later determined that she also hit an unattended parked car about two miles away from the traffic stop.

Both charges are misdemeanors.

In a statement, the senator said he is thankful that no one was injured and that he and his wife are "deeply sorry and embarrassed that this accident has occurred."

A trial is scheduled for Jan. 8 in Fairfax County General District Court.