FAA chief resigns after drunken driving arrest

  By JOAN LOWYWASHINGTON -- Randy Babbitt says he will resign as head of the Federal Aviation Administration following his arrest over the weekend on charges of drunken driving.

Babbitt said in a statement Tuesday that he didn't want to allow anything to "cast a shadow" on the work done by his colleagues at the FAA.

The 65-year-old Babbitt was arrested Saturday night in Fairfax City, Va., by a patrolman who said the FAA administrator was driving on the wrong side of the road.

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FAA chief on leave after drunken driving arrest

  By JOAN LOWYWASHINGTON -- The Transportation Department says Federal Aviation Administration chief Randy Babbitt is on a leave of absence and his employment is being reviewed following his arrest over the weekend for drunken driving.

According to Fairfax City police, Babbitt was charged with driving while intoxicated after a patrol officer spotted him driving on the wrong side of the street and pulled him over about 10:30 p.m. Saturday in Fairfax, Va.

Babbitt, who lives in Reston, was the only occupant in the vehicle. Police said he cooperated and was released on his own recognizance.

The Department of Transportation said in a statement that the leave was taken at Babbitt's request.

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