Uber driver arrested for drunk driving in Simi Valley after Super Bowl

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SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (FOX 11 / AP) - An Uber driver in Simi Valley was arrested after the Super Bowl and accused of driving drunk while en route to pick up a customer.

Robert Wing had already picked up a few passengers before he was stopped, according to the Simi Valley Police Department. He told an officer that he had watched the Super Bowl at a bar and was "trying to make some extra cash," authorities said.

"The driver was unaware of his physical location due to his impairment and was relying on his GPS to direct him where to go," police said in a statement.

The Los Angeles Times reports that two empty beer cans were located inside Wing's vehicle, which was impounded. One of the Coors Light cans was discovered underneath the driver's seat, according to the newspaper.

Wing was arrested for driving under the influence and booked into the Ventura County jail. The Times reported that Wing, of Simi Valley, was stopped around 2 a.m. Monday.

According to police, Wing had a blood-alcohol level of 0.25. The legal limit in California is 0.08.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol or drug use for anyone driving on the Uber platform," the company told news media outlets in a statement. "We are clearly disappointed to hear that something like this could have occurred and have permanently removed this driver-partner's access to Uber."

The Simi Valley Police statement said a patrol officer "observed a vehicle approaching a green light, and was slowing. This caught his attention as well as the fact he also observed the vehicle had no front license plate."

The officer, Kevin Wilmott, "contacted the driver, who stated he was on his way to pick up a fare, and that he drove for UBER. He also stated that he had already driven 2-3 other fares in the city," according to the police statement, which added:

"The Simi Valley Police Department encourages anyone who has consumed alcohol to stay off the road, or arrange for transportation. We also encourage each passenger to speak with any driver they hire, to determine if they smell alcohol or see signs of the driver being impaired before allowing the driver to transport them to their destination. If a passenger believes their hired driver is impaired, make them stop the car, and notify the police immediately."

News media outlets reported that Wing's court date is scheduled for April.