A senator from Nevada was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after an alarming incident where he seemed to be unconscious in his vehicle at a traffic light.
Sen. Edgar Flores (D-NV) appeared to be dozing off at a red light in northeastern Las Vegas when a police officer pulled up behind him shortly after midnight on September 12th. Body camera footage reveals the situation.
The officer discovered that Flores was unresponsive and had the key in the ignition of his Jeep Wrangler.
Flores remained asleep until an officer knocked on his window, eventually waking him up as authorities attempted to access the driver’s side door and used a flashlight to get his attention.
When he finally roused, visibly confused, he was instructed to exit his vehicle. As one officer checked on him, another queried the 39-year-old senator about where he had been before this.
Flores mentioned he had been playing football at Sunset Park, located just a few miles from Harry Reid International Airport.
“Why are you sleeping in your car?” asked one officer.
“Sorry, I must have dozed off,” was Flores’ reply.
In response to the officer’s inquiry about how much he had to drink, he claimed it was just “one beer” around midnight.
After his identification was checked, the officer recognized him as a state senator and instructed the other officers to ensure that all necessary sobriety tests were carried out.
The footage shows Flores struggling during the field sobriety test. Following his inability to pass that test, he was arrested shortly afterward.
Flores, who represents the northeastern region of Clark County, was processed at the Clark County Detention Center on a misdemeanor DUI charge.
Although he hasn’t been formally charged, he was released per state law without needing to post bail and after appearing in front of a judge.
In the aftermath, he admitted to feeling tired but affirmed that he was fully aware while driving.
Flores’ team issued a statement on social media explaining that the senator had stopped after a long day, which included work, a community event, exercise, and a late meal.
They argued that Flores was candid with the officers and consented to both a breathalyzer and blood test. They further alleged that the breath test showed a result of 0.0 and that the blood test would return similar results.
However, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department noted they did not accept a “preliminary breath test” on-site and reported that the toxicology analysis may take around 90 days.
Flores’ campaign expressed respect for the officers’ commitment to public safety, while also considering whether the senator’s rights and privacy were adequately preserved.
A status hearing concerning potential criminal charges against the senator is scheduled for January 12th.
