Bloodline star Sam Shepard has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after a Santa Fe restaurant’s security complained about a possibly intoxicated driver.

The 71-year-old actor and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright told a police officer that he had two tequila drinks and was planning to drive home.

Santa Fe police Lt. Andrea Dobyns said: “Our officer could smell alcohol on his breath, and he had bloodshot, watery eyes.”

Sam was arrested on a charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated outside La Choza restaurant in downtown.

Sam is currently starring in Netflix drama Bloodline (Marie Havens/AP)
Sam is currently starring in Netflix drama Bloodline (Marie Havens/AP)

The restaurant’s security called police about 7.45pm on Monday May 26 concerned about an intoxicated driver, Dobyns said. The man was trying to leave in the pick-up, but the vehicle’s emergency brake was engaged.

Sam declined to take a breath test, but he did perform a field sobriety test, which he failed, Dobyns said.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Sam had an lawyer. Santa Fe jail records show that Sam was released on Tuesday afternoon after posting bail.

The office of Sam’s agent said it had no comment.

Shepard won the Pulitzer Prize in 1979 for his play Buried Child. His film credits, among others, include Baby Boom, Steel Magnolias, Thunderheart, Black Hawk Down and The Notebook.

He is currently starring as head of the family Robert Rayburn in Netflix drama Bloodline.

Playing Chuck Yeager in a drama about the birth of America’s space program, The Right Stuff earned Sam an Academy Award nomination. His play True West, depicting a rivalry between two estranged brothers, has been revived numerous times and starred high-profile actors over the years.

Monday’s arrest appears to be Sam’s second on charges of drunken driving. In January 2009, he was arrested on charges of speeding and drunken driving in the central Illinois town of Normal. Sam was driving 16 mph over the 30 mph speed limit, police said. A breath test then indicated his blood-alcohol level was double the legal limit. The actor told police then that he had been at a tavern in nearby Bloomington and was heading to a hotel.

Sam pleaded guilty and was fined 600 dollars (£389) and court costs and placed on 24 months of supervision. He also had to finish an alcohol treatment program and perform 100 hours of community service.