Onyango Obama, Barack Obama’s uncle has been stopped by police on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after narrowly escaping a crash in Massachusetts.
Onyango Obama, 67, was being held by immigration officials following his arrest on last Wednesday about 20 miles west of Boston.
US president uncle is accused of ploughing through a stop sign, forcing a police officer to brake suddenly to avoid hitting his SUV.
Police said Onyango Obama slurred his speech and became argumentative when stopped.
When Obama’s uncle was asked whether he wanted to make a phone call to arrange bail, he answered:
“I think I will call the White House.”
Obama’s uncle is the half-brother of the president’s late father and is originally from Kenya. Onyango Obama was being held in custody on a detainer from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which said he had an earlier deportation or removal order.
Onyango Obama pleaded not guilty in court on Friday to driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to yield the right of way.
Zeituni Onyango, the president’s aunt, made newspapers headlines in 2010 when she won the right to live in the United States despite being denied asylum by an immigration judge in 2004. President’s aunt stayed in the US illegally but was allowed to remain after the courts decided she could be in danger in Kenya.
