State Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was arrested in Los Angeles early Friday on suspicion of drunken driving, authorities said.
Carrillo, who is a candidate for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council, was arrested around 1:30 a.m. Friday in the 6200 block of Monterey Road. She was arrested after officers responded to a crash in the Northeast Los Angeles area, according to the LAPD.
Details about the crash were not immediately available.
Cellphone video obtained by NBC4 shows Carrillo being evaluated by officers at the scene of the crash.
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The man who recorded the video did not want to be identified. His car was one of the two damaged in the crash. He said an officer told Carrillo she could be given a field sobriety test out of public view.
“I’m giving you the courtesy to do this in private, because you’re an elected official,” the officer says in the video.
NBC4 asked the LAPD if officers are supposed to follow special privacy rules when they investigate elected officials. So far we have not heard back.
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“I had never heard of that,” the man said. “The officers informed me it was because she was a dignitary.”
Misdemeanor DUIs are considered non-serious and non-violent crimes, so under the new zero bail system in Los Angeles County, Carrillo was booked and immediately released from custody.
Carrillo released a statement later Friday morning.
“Early this morning I was involved in a traffic incident involving parked vehicles," she said. "Thankfully, no one was harmed, and I have been cooperating with law enforcement. 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."
Carrillo, 43, was elected to the Eastside Assembly district in 2017. She is running in the March city election to replace Councilmember Kevin de León.
NBC4 reporter Eric Leonard contributed to this report.
