Surf Champ Arrested for Suspended Hawaiian Driver's License

A world champion surfer in town for was arrested on Monday morning after a background check during a traffic stop for speeding revealed that his license had been suspended.

Garrett McNamara, 43, of 59464 Alapio Road, Haleiwa, HI, was arrested at about 1:40 a.m. Monday on a charge of driving with a suspended license.

According to Narragansett police reports, at about 1:22 a.m. an officer traveling north on Boston Neck Road saw a car headed in the opposite direction traveling at a fast rate of speed. According to the narrative from Patrolman James Fitzgerald, a car driven by McNamara was clocked at 50 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone.

According to Fitzgerald, a background check revealed that McNamara's license had been revoked. Police said that McNamara told them he knew his license was revoked, but he was driving for a friend who was tired.

Police placed McNamara under arrest. McNamara's friend, a 32-year-old man from Miami Beach, FL, passed a field sobriety test and was allowed to drive the car from the scene. All three passengers in the car were participants in Saturday's event at the beach.

According to an additional report by Sgt. Eric J. Ryan, McNamara requested a justice of the peace later that morning. He appeared before the justice at 4 a.m. and was released. He is scheduled to appear in Fourth Division District Court on July 26.

All information courtesy of Narragansett police reports. Want to be notified when we post new reports? Click the follow-up link below!