UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn hospitalized after flipping car, investigated for possible DUI

B.J. Penn was involved in a single-car accident last weekend in his hometown of Hilo, Hawaii, leading police to investigate the UFC Hall of Famer for a possible DUI violation.

According to Big Island Now, Penn was involved in the accident at approximately 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. Hawaii Police Department Cpt. Ken Quiocho told the website that Penn lost control while driving a black pickup truck and flipped the vehicle in front of a shopping mall. Penn, who was the only occupant in the vehicle, was transported by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center (HMC). His condition was unknown as of late Tuesday night.

Quiocho told Big Island Now that police believe speed was “certainly a factor in the crash.” The investigation into a possible DUI was launched after HMC drew blood from Penn upon his admittance to the hospital – standard practice for victims of car accidents. HMC shared the results with police, which prompted the investigation, Quiocho said. He did not disclose Penn’s blood alcohol level since the investigation is ongoing.

This incident comes after a 2019 in which Penn dealt with multiple serious transgressions. Last April, Penn was issued a restraining order by the mother of his children, who alleged years of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Penn also threatened a farmer with a machete, according to a police report.

Last August, Penn was involved in a street caught on video outside a bar in Hilo. The footage showed Penn getting dropped after being punched by a man.

Penn, 41, fought his final UFC fight last May at UFC 237. He dropped a unanimous decision to Clay Guida for his seventh consecutive loss, which set a new UFC record. The UFC still booked Penn after that to fight Nik Lentz but later released him after the street fight video surfaced.

Penn was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2015.