California Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo Arrested for DUI after Car Crash
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — California Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) following a car crash in Los Angeles. The incident took place just after midnight on Friday on Monterey Road near Montecito Heights, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Carrillo, who is currently running against Kevin de León for a seat on the L.A. City Council, collided with several parked cars and the street curb. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
A witness who spoke with ABC7 stated that he was visiting friends in the area when his vehicle was hit. “Very loud, huge bang, and then heard like skidding,” he described. “There’s crashes that happen right here all the time, so we knew right away that it was for sure a car crash.” The witness further mentioned that Carrillo was inside her vehicle when they assessed the situation. “As soon as we looked out the balcony, you could see her Audi was in the middle of the street, and airbags deployed, and she was in there and you could see her moving and stuff. We walked out and asked if she was okay, she was hand gesturing like she was all good, thumbs up and stuff. As soon as she got out of the car and started talking to us, it was really clear to me, as a non-expert, that was she was intoxicated. You could smell alcohol. She was slurring her speech. She was very impaired.”
Eyewitness News obtained video footage showing the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) conducting field sobriety tests on Carrillo. In the video, one officer can be heard explaining to a witness why they have chosen to complete the tests privately. “LAPD has a policy of being fully transparent with the public. It was brought to my attention that this person is an elected official in the state senate. So sometimes, for people that are considered to be, for lack of a better term, dignitary. We allow them to do the investigation in a private area. It does not change the fact that she has been drinking. She has been involved in a crash.”
Carrillo has since released a statement expressing her cooperation with law enforcement and taking responsibility for her actions. “As a public servant, I am aware that I must adhere to a higher standard that demands personal accountability for my conduct, and I accept responsibility for my actions. I sincerely apologize to my family, constituents, colleagues, and staff for any actions of mine that have fallen short of that expectation. I intend to seek the necessary help and support. As I do so, I remain dedicated to my family, my constituents, and the community that I grew up in and am proud to represent.”
The 43-year-old Assemblymember was released without bail.