Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo arrested for suspected DUI
LOS ANGELES - Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, a Los Angeles Democrat who is vying for the City Council seat held by Kevin de León, was arrested early Friday on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Carrillo, 43, was taken into custody after officers went to the 6200 block of Monterey Road in Montecito Heights on a report of a traffic collision involving a motorist who had struck some parked vehicles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Carrillo was booked on suspicion of DUI, according to the LAPD. Jail records show she was arrested around 1:30 a.m. and booked around 4 a.m. There was no immediate information regarding her release.
"Early this morning I was involved in a traffic incident involving parked vehicles," Carrillo said in a statement Friday afternoon. "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."
FOX 11 obtained cell phone video of Carrillo talking to LAPD shortly after the crash. In the video shared by the owner of the car Carrillo had allegedly hit, the Assemblywoman did a field sobriety test where she briefly lost balance.
Afterward, an officer explained to Carrillo that her car would be impounded as part of the DUI investigation.
Carrillo was elected to the Assembly in 2017 in District 52, which includes areas of Glendale and East Los Angeles.
She is running for the Los Angeles City Council's 14th District seat, currently held by de León.
"Since 2017, I have had the immense privilege of representing a large majority of Council District 14 in my overlapping Assembly district and I'm ready to get to work alongside all of you in Northeast LA, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Downtown Los Angeles and Boyle Heights," Carrillo contends on her campaign website. "It is time we move forward, we heal, we organize and we build. Our community needs a champion, send me to City Hall. No one will fight harder than me for you and for those you love."
In June, Carrillo was arrested along with two City Council members and union members when she took part in a protest by striking hotel workers near Los Angeles International Airport. The arrests came as the crowd failed to disperse from Century Boulevard during the protest. Arrestees were processed at the scene and released.
CNS contributed to this report.