Former NBA Champion Lamar Odom Arrested for DUI in Las Vegas After High-Speed Traffic Stop
- Jan 17
- 3 min read
17 January 2026
Lamar Odom, the former NBA star whose career and personal life have long been the subject of public fascination, found himself once again in the spotlight in mid-January 2026 after he was arrested in Las Vegas on suspicion of driving under the influence. The incident occurred in the early hours of January 17, when Nevada Highway Patrol officers pulled Odom over on Interstate 15 near Spring Mountain Road after observing his SUV traveling at dangerously high speeds. According to law enforcement officials, the vehicle a black Dodge Durango was clocked at least 105 miles per hour before officers activated their lights and sirens to initiate the traffic stop.
As the patrol car closed in, the driver, later identified as Odom, continued at high velocity, weaving between lanes without signaling until he eventually stopped on the shoulder of the freeway. Once officers approached the vehicle, they reported detecting a strong odor of marijuana emanating from inside and noted that both Odom and a male passenger had bloodshot, watery eyes indicators that prompted a field sobriety check. Odom reportedly failed multiple sobriety tests and was taken into custody around 3 a.m., with charges including DUI, excessive speeding, and making an improper lane change. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 17 in Clark County, Nevada.
The arrest marks a troubling chapter in Odom’s post-NBA life, a period that has already been shaped by well-documented struggles with substance abuse and personal turmoil. Drafted fourth overall in the 1999 NBA Draft, Odom enjoyed a 14-season career in the league, highlighted by back-to-back championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 and recognition as the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2011. Yet his off-court battles have often garnered as much attention as his on-court achievements. In 2015, Odom nearly died after suffering a drug overdose at a legal brothel in Nevada, an episode that left him comatose and in critical condition, requiring extensive recovery and rehabilitation.
In the decades since his retirement from basketball, Odom’s life has been a mix of personal highs and lows. His marriage to reality television star Khloé Kardashian which brought him back into the public consciousness beyond sports ended in divorce in 2016 after several tumultuous years. The couple’s relationship and his struggles with addiction were chronicled on reality television, giving audiences a window into the complexities of his life beyond the hardwood.
Though Odom has spoken openly in the past about his battles with addiction, including in his 2019 book where he recounted surviving seizures, strokes, and nearly losing his life, the Las Vegas arrest has resurrected concerns about his long-term recovery. Law enforcement accounts from the incident suggest that Odom initially denied smoking marijuana, instead claiming his passenger was responsible for the odor. He later admitted to having used the drug earlier in the day. Police also noted that during the field sobriety tests, Odom displayed signs of impairment that led to his booking at the Clark County Detention Center.
As of the end of January 2026, court records indicate that Odom was no longer in custody and is expected to return to court in March to face the charges. In addition to the DUI count, the speeding and lane-change violations underscore the seriousness of the arrest and the potential legal consequences he faces. Typically, first-offense DUI charges in Nevada are classified as misdemeanors, but the inclusion of high-speed driving and unsafe lane changes could influence sentencing and legal strategy.
The response from Odom himself has been minimal. During a public appearance later in January at a restaurant in Las Vegas where he was promoting his spirits brand, he declined to comment on the arrest, saying he wanted to “keep it positive” and expressing gratitude to his supporters. His reluctance to speak about the incident has done little, however, to quell public curiosity or media scrutiny.
Fans and observers have reacted to the news with a mix of concern and reflection, acknowledging both Odom’s athletic legacy and the very real personal challenges he continues to confront. Some have expressed sympathy and hope for his recovery, recognizing that addiction and legal troubles are complex issues that extend beyond a single incident. Others have raised questions about accountability and the responsibilities that come with public visibility, especially for figures whose past struggles have played out so publicly.
Odom’s 2026 DUI arrest arrives amid ongoing conversations in American culture about substance use, mental health, and second chances. As his legal case proceeds, it may also prompt renewed discussions about how former athletes manage life after the spotlight and the support systems available to those facing long-standing personal battles. Regardless of the outcome in court, the incident serves as a stark reminder that even beloved public figures are not immune to the challenges of everyday life and the consequences of their choices.
Comments