Priestley Ready for Work-Release
Jan. 11 -- Former hair gel abuser Jason Priestley will soon serve five days in a work-release program in order to fulfill the terms of his drunken driving sentence. The ex-Beverly Hills, 90210 star pleaded no contest to the charges last year, which stemmed from a December 1999 car crash that left his friend with a broken arm — and Priestley without a license.
Last March, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor ordered Priestley to enter a three-month alcohol-treatment program. The actor was convicted of a misdemeanor and ordered to spend five days in jail and three years on probation. His California driver's license was suspended as well.
Instead of doing hard time, Priestley, 31, will be allowed to fulfill his agreement at Gateway Community Correction Center, a private work-release facility in nearby Echo Park, Calif. The actor's rep told USA Today that Priestley is "remorseful" about the crash "and will respectfully fulfill his commitment."
Nice Canadian Boy Turned Hollywood?
During his hearing last year, the actor's lawyer told reporters, "He's not one of the bad boys of Hollywood, so he found it very traumatic [to be prosecuted]." We imagine he'll find it equally traumatic to pick up cigarette butts along the freeway.
The actor crashed his Porsche into a power pole, garbage cans, and a parked car in the Hollywood Hills on Dec. 3, 1999, according to the police. His passenger, buddy Chad Cook, sustained a broken arm in the accident, which occurred just days after Priestley separated from his wife, makeup artist Ashlee Peterson.
Coincidentally, Priestley's former 90210 co-star, Shannen Doherty, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Dec. 29. The actress was arrested after she was seen weaving across several lanes of traffic on a Thousand Oaks, Calif., freeway, according to a California Highway Patrol spokesman.
Doherty was released after taking a blood test to determine her level of intoxication. She is due in court Jan. 26.
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