CA Lawmaker Arrested For DUI, Crashed Vehicle

A California lawmaker is on the wrong side of the law after authorities arrested her on a DUI charge.

State Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was driving in her Audi in Los Angeles early Friday morning when she collided with another car, TMZ reported. That vehicle then hit a third vehicle.

A resident in the area rushed outside to help and started to record Carrillo, who showed obvious signs of intoxication.

Carrillo reportedly was slurring her words and smelled of alcohol. But despite all that, Carrillo attempted to tell responding officers that a sneeze caused the car crash.

“I’m sorry, I sneezed, and I lost track of the vehicle.”

The officers administered a field sobriety test to Carrillo, who was allegedly so intoxicated that she lost her balance and nearly fell to the ground. She was arrested and taken to jail for suspicion of driving under the influence during a traffic collision with a high blood-alcohol count, the L.A. Times reported.

LAPD Capt. Kelly Muniz later said the lawmaker’s alcohol level was “double the legal limit or more.”

Following her release from jail, Carrillo issued a statement, in which she accepted responsibility for her actions, and acknowledged that as a public servant, she must be held to a higher standard.

She also apologized to her family, constituents, and staff members and said that she would “seek the necessary help and support.”

Carrillo was elected in 2017 and represents California’s 52nd Eastside Assembly District.