Vivica Fox reaches plea deal for drunken driving

LOS ANGELES, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Actress Vivica A. Fox pleaded no contest on Friday to drunken driving and must serve three years probation and complete an alcohol education program, an official said.

A spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney said Fox, who has competed on TV's "Dancing With the Stars" and acted in films such as "Kill Bill: Vol. 1," changed her plea from not guilty after reaching an agreement with prosecutors.

A lawyer for Fox, 43, entered the new plea to one count of driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or above, said spokesman Frank Mateljan.

A no contest plea is the legal equivalent of pleading guilty under California law.

Judge Stephen Pfahler also ordered the actress to pay nearly $1,200 in fines and fees.

The charge stemmed from an incident on March 20, 2007 when Fox was driving a car at about 80 mph (130 kph) and passed a police vehicle. Authorities said Fox was unable to keep her car in the correct lane and she failed a sobriety test.

She pleaded not guilty in September before reaching the new plea bargain.