Former TV anchor Frank Somerville arrested on suspicion of DUI after crash

OAKLAND >> One-time KTVU news anchor Frank Somerville was arrested Dec. 30 on suspicion of driving under the influence following a crash in downtown Oakland, authorities said.

The crash happened about 7:45 p.m. near the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Broadway, according to Oakland police. Multiple police and media sources confirmed Somerville was arrested.

The inmate record at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin showed Somerville was booked and then released with a citation to appear in court. It was not known immediately when that court appearance will be.

According to police, the driver of one vehicle hit another vehicle from behind. Video from the scene uploaded by KRON showed the car that ran into the other one was a Porsche.

After the collision, the driver of the car that had been hit exited the vehicle, police said. At that point, the Porsche proceeded through the intersection, pushing the other vehicle into a pole on the southeast corner of the intersection.

Investigators determined he’d been driving under the influence, police said. An ambulance took Somerville to Highland Hospital for evaluation and to receive a blood-alcohol test, police said.

Somerville has had a tumultuous year. In September, he told this news organization that he anticipated his days anchoring at KTVU were over after he was suspended in September for an off-air dispute about the coverage of the Gabby Petito case.

He also was off the air for much of the summer following a now-infamous May 30 newscast when he repeatedly slurred and stumbled over his words and appeared to have trouble reading off the teleprompter.

Police released no other details but encouraged anyone who may have information to contact them at 510777-8570.