LOS ANGELES – One-time child actor Adam Rich, who starred in the 1970s TV show Eight Is Enough, was arrested early Wednesday after he drove onto a closed highway lane and nearly struck a California Highway Patrol car, authorities said.
Rich, 34, who played Nicholas on the series, was booked for investigation of driving under the influence, CHP Officer Francisco Villalobos said.
Rich was driving on Interstate 10 when he almost struck a CHP patrol car parked in a lane that was closed for maintenance, authorities said.
The officer stopped the actor and saw that he appeared to be under the influence of drugs, Villalobos said. Rich was taken to a hospital after complaining of pain from an unrelated injury, authorities said.
Rich has had substance abuse problems in the past. In 1992, he entered a drug rehabilitation program after pleading no contest to felony burglary and drug charges alleging he stole a drug-filled syringe from a hospital and broke into a pharmacy.
In 1988, Rich entered the Betty Ford Clinic for treatment of cocaine addiction. He had been kicked out of another rehabilitation program elsewhere after demanding painkillers.
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