by Vicki Hyman/The Star-Ledger Friday September 26, 2008, 12:45 PM
Shia LaBeouf Shia LaBeouf averted DUI charges in the summer car crash in West Hollywood that mangled his hand, but authorities say he refused a breathalyzer test and could have his license suspended, the Associated Press reports. (Maybe he and Britney Spears could carpool!)
Accident investigators determined another driver caused the collision that resulted in the "Transformer" star's severe hand injuries, plus minor injuries to his co-star, Isabel Lucas, who was with him at the time. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office says there was "insufficient evidence" to charge the actor with drunken driving, though the Sheriff's Office still says LaBeouf appeared drunk after the crash.
"Shia is most happy that he will not have to go to court," his lawyer Michael Norris says. LaBeouf's license could be suspended for up to nine months.
The same D.A.'s office didn't look so kindly upon the father of "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere: Alan Panettiere was formally charged with misdemeanor battery after a fight with his wife last month, according to the AP.
The Sheriff's Office says Panettiere punched his wife after returning home from a charity event hosted by their daughter. The elder Panettiere quickly called the incident a "misunderstanding" (what, he thought she was going to duck?), and Hayden was even more critical: "It was blown way out of proportion by a sheriff who wanted his 15 minutes of fame."
Panettiere will be arraigned next month, and could spend up to a year in jail if convicted.
