This story has been updated.
Delaware State University president Tony Allen is charged with Driving Under the Influence.
Court documents first obtained by the News Journal/Delaware Online say Allen was pulled over around 12:30 a.m. on July 21 on Route 1 and Exit 114, south of Smyrna.
There, his blood alcohol level was alleged to be found at zero-point-128 percent, exceeding the legal limit of zero-point-zero-eight.
The News Journal reports court documents also indicate Allen faces a charge of failure to remain in a single lane. He was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 11
Allen joined the DSU administration in 2017 as vice president and provost, before becoming the university president in 2020.
The chair of the DSU Board of Trustees Leroy Tice confirmed in an email to the University community that the board is aware of the situation and monitoring it, but cannot comment further on the details.
"Our focus remains on the important work and mission of the University — delivering an exceptional education, supporting our campus community, and advancing our strategic goals, all of which have experienced considerable growth over the last several years under Dr. Allen’s leadership," said Tice in his email.
A University spokesman previously indicated the school would not be commenting on the incident, except that Allen wants to respect and cooperate with the legal process.
But late Friday, Allen sent an email to the DSU community, acknowledging the traffic stop and noting he would not comment further on an active legal matter.
Allen also struck a contrite tone in addressing the circumstances.
"The greatest moments in our lives are not found in times of high achievement, but in the process of pushing through intense scrutiny or profound sadness, navigating improbable circumstances, or simply acknowledging, “I was wrong, and I am sorry,” Allen wrote in the email.
He added later in the email, "So today, I am both regretful and grateful: regretful that we cannot always be our best selves, and grateful that we are given the chance to try again. Regretful that we fall, and grateful that we can rise. Regretful that we cannot always change the hardest parts of our past, yet grateful that tomorrow always offers hope."
