New York Public Library President, Anthony Marx, was arrested on drunk driving charges on Sunday after police officials say he "sideswiped" a parked car with a library owned vehicle.
Police say Marx was driving a 2009 Audi when he drove backwards into a sanitation truck in East Harlem around 3PM. The arresting officer found Marx with bloodshot eyes and alcohol stained breath. Hours later, a test revealed Marx's blood-alcohol content to be .19 percent, more than twice the legal drinking limit.
Sanitation worker, Franklin Hernandez told The New York Post:
He just kinda came out of nowhere! He was going pretty fast. He just missed the truck in front of me and then, bam! He smashed into my truck. I jumped out, and he tried to put the car in drive - I just stood there in front of him, put my hand up and said, 'Do not move that car!'
In an arraignment on Monday, Marx pleaded not guilty on the charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, and operating a car while impaired.
Marx was allegedly attempting to avoid New York City Marathon traffic when the accident occurred.
In a statement released through a library spokeswoman, Marx said "I deeply regret embarrassment caused to my family and to the New York Public Library."
The 52-year old native New Yorker joined the public library back in July and was most recently the president of Amherst College.