Macklemore’s license was suspended at the time he was hit by suspected drunken driver

Rapper Benjamin Haggerty, better known as Macklemore, was driving on a suspended license for unpaid tickets when he was involved in a head-on collision on Whidbey Island last week, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Trooper Heather Axtman said Haggerty was driving a 2016 S-Class Mercedes when he was struck head on by the driver of a 1986 Chevrolet pickup.

The 24-year-old pickup driver was injured and taken to the hospital. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants and a warrant was served for his blood to be drawn, Axtman said.

Macklemore was not injured, Axtman said. She said she did not know whether Macklemore had passengers in his car.

Macklemore, who was born in Kent and is now based in Seattle, is perhaps best known for his 2012 song “Thrift Shop,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Same Love,” which was nominated for Song of the Year at the 56th Grammy Awards. More recently, the rapper addressed opioid addiction in “Drug Dealer,” and released “Glorious,” the first single from his forthcoming solo album, marketed as his first in 12 years (the others were co-credited to producer Ryan Lewis).

This story was originally published August 3, 2017 at 8:18 AM with the headline "Macklemore’s license was suspended at the time he was hit by suspected drunken driver."