Former Boston Celtic and NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce is discussing his arrest in Los Angeles on Tuesday night for suspected misdemeanor driving under the influence, saying he fell asleep in heavy traffic.

Pierce was found asleep behind the wheel of a Range Rover SUV on the 101 Freeway about 10:30 p.m. in North Hollywood, the California Highway Patrol said. The vehicle had stopped in traffic south of a car crash.

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"Officers noted signs of alcohol impairment and conducted a DUI investigation," a police statement said, and Pierce was arrested on suspicion of DUI, a case that would be presented to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office for review.

NBC Los Angeles learned that the 47-year-old was cited and released

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