According to Pantagraph reports, Illinois police authorities arrested actor and playwright Sam Shepard on early Saturday. He was passing through the central Illinois town of Normal, and stopped at a tavern before heading to his hotel. He told the police that he was on his way to his home in Kentucky from Minnesota.

The 65-year-old Shepard was charged with speeding and drunken driving. He was going 16 mph over the 30 mph speed limit; and a breath test indicated his blood alcohol was twice the legal limit.

Shepard posted bail in Bloomington, though the amount of the bail was not disclosed by the jail authorities. While attempts are on to locate an attorney for Shepard, no one has been finalized as yet.

The highly acclaimed celebrity is in a long-time relationship with actress Jessica Lange, and has two children.

Shepard was nominated for an Oscar for the film “The Right Stuff”, in which his plated the role of test pilot Chuck Yeager. Other famous films in which the actor featured are “The Notebook,” and “Blackhawk Down.”

In 1979, Shepherd won the Pulitzer Prize for drama for his play “Buried Child.” His other plays include “True West” and “A Lie of the Mind.”