Todd Lynn Helton, born August 20, 1973, in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a former professional baseball first baseman who spent his entire 17-year MLB career with the Colorado Rockies. A five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and three-time Gold Glove winner, Helton holds Rockies’ records for hits (2,519), home runs (369), doubles (592), walks (1,335), runs scored (1,401), RBIs (1,406), games played (2,247), and total bases (4,292). From 1999 to 2004, he consistently hit above .320 with at least 39 doubles, 30 home runs, and 96 RBIs, earning a .372 batting title in 2000. A standout at the University of Tennessee, where he was the 1995 national collegiate player of the year and led the Vols to the College World Series, Helton also played quarterback, amassing 2,772 yards. Drafted by the Rockies in 1995, he debuted in 1997 and became a franchise icon, with his No. 17 retired in 2014 and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.
Details of the Arrest
Helton faced legal issues with two arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) and a third incident involving a traffic accident. The first DUI arrest occurred on February 6, 2013, near Denver, Colorado, before his final MLB season. According to reports, Helton was pulled over for erratic driving, and police noted signs of intoxication. He was charged with DUI and careless driving. Additionally, he was cited for leaving the scene of an accident at Greystone Summit Apartments in Knoxville on August 30, 2017, after his pickup truck struck two unoccupied vehicles. Helton left his name with one owner but did not stay with his vehicle, leading to a misdemeanor charge. The second DUI arrest came on March 18, 2019, in Knox County, Tennessee, when Helton crashed his truck into a telephone pole. He claimed he took Ambien four hours earlier, but officers noted a cup smelling of alcohol, resulting in a misdemeanor DUI citation. He required emergency medical care but no other vehicles were involved.
Case Proceeding
The 2013 DUI case proceeded with Helton pleading guilty to DUI and careless driving charges. He received a one-year probation sentence, a $400 fine, 24 hours of community service, and mandatory alcohol education classes. The 2017 accident charge was dismissed on October 4, 2018, by a Knox County judge after Helton paid court costs and restitution to affected parties. His attorney, Stephen Ross Johnson, confirmed the charge was expunged, and no sheriff’s report was filed, limiting further details. In the 2019 DUI case, Helton pleaded guilty to first-offense DUI on March 11, 2020. He was sentenced to 48 hours in jail, 11 months and 29 days of unsupervised probation, a $350 fine, a one-year license suspension, and attendance at a Victim Impact Panel. His attorney noted Helton completed treatment and expressed regret.
Case Resolution
All cases were resolved with relatively light penalties, reflecting Helton’s lack of prior criminal history and cooperation. The 2013 and 2019 DUIs did not significantly impact his Hall of Fame candidacy, as he garnered 72.2% of votes in 2023 and was inducted in 2024. The expunged 2017 charge had minimal public impact due to its dismissal and lack of detailed records.
Where is the Athlete Now
As of 2025, Helton, now 51, resides in Knoxville, Tennessee, and maintains a low profile. He served as a volunteer director of player development for the Tennessee Vols baseball program in 2017 but has since stepped back from public roles. His Hall of Fame induction solidified his legacy as a Rockies legend, though his DUI incidents remain a blemish. Recent X posts celebrate his Cooperstown honor, with some fans noting the DUIs but largely focusing on his on-field achievements. Helton’s case highlights how athletes can recover from legal missteps with accountability and rehabilitation, though DUIs underscore the risks of substance-related decisions, even for celebrated figures.
