Steve Wilkos Charged with DUI in Car Crash, Admits He Lied to TMZ (UPDATE)

6:15 PM PT -- Cops say as part of the investigation into Wilkos' accident, a search warrant for his medical records was secured and it discovered his BAC was .29% and way over the legal limit the afternoon he crashed his car.

A warrant was issued for Steve's arrest, but he turned himself in Wednesday evening in Connecticut. He's been charged with operating under the influence and failure to drive right. He was released after posting $1,500 bond.

Steve Wilkos just confessed to TMZ, he lied when he told us the horrific car crash in which he was involved last month was the result of him being distracted as he reached for his glasses ... he was actually under the influence of alcohol.

We've learned the talk show host was charged Wednesday with DUI in the single-car crash in Darien, Conn.

We broke the story, Wilkos struck several poles and a tree before the vehicle rolled over. He went to a hospital for minor injuries and his show was put on ice for a few days while he recovered.

Wilkos tells TMZ, "Over the course of my life, I have been struggling with bouts of depression and on the day of my accident, I had a complete lapse in judgment which resulted in me drinking and getting behind the wheel of my car."