SAN ANDREAS, Calif. (AP) -An arraignment for actor Robert Conrad, who’s accused of felony drunk driving, has been postponed a month because he’s partially paralyzed on his right side.
Conrad, best known for his roles in “Baa Baa Black Sheep” and “The Wild Wild West,” was to have been arraigned Tuesday on two drunk driving charges. A judge continued the hearing until June 10.
Calaveras County District Attorney Jeffrey Tuttle said he received a letter from a Santa Clara Valley Medical Center doctor indicating Conrad was suffering from paralysis and sustained a head injury in a March 31 car accident.
Lavelda Conrad said her husband also suffered a spinal cord injury in the head-on collision.
Conrad’s blood-alcohol level was above 0.20 percent, nearly three times the legal limit, when he crashed into another vehicle on Highway 4 near Arnold, injuring Kevin Burnett of Forest Meadows, according to a criminal complaint filed last month.
Burnett, 26, since has been released from the hospital and was recovering at home, his father said Tuesday. Fred Burnett said his son has a broken wrist and leg.
After the court hearing, Conrad’s wife said her husband also has just 40 percent use of his left arm and is confined to a wheelchair but can “take some steps” with help.
Lavelda Conrad said her husband has suffered short-term memory loss because of his head injury; he has no recollection of the accident and his speech has been affected.
She characterized her husband of 25 years as “very depressed” and said he’s taking medication.
Lavelda Conrad said her husband is 68, but court records indicate he is 73.
AP-ES-05-07-03 1351EDT
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