Krista Perez, a Democrat from Washington state who is campaigning for a state House position, was captured on police footage admitting to drinking wine. After her DUI arrest, she declined field sobriety tests and expressed a desire to go home, showing emotional distress while praying and crying in the backseat of a patrol car.
Perez led in last month’s primary for the 29th Legislative District, Position 1, and will be up against incumbent state Rep. Melanie Morgan, also a Democrat, in the upcoming November election.
According to Tacoma Police, Perez’s 2019 Chevrolet Silverado allegedly collided with a parked vehicle on South G Street shortly after midnight on August 11, causing a chain reaction that affected five other cars, as reported by local media.
She has been charged with DUI, with additional charges stemming from her refusal to take a breath test during a subsequent encounter with the police.
Body cam footage reveals Perez being questioned by officers after the incident, while additional clips from the patrol car show her emotional response, praying and crying, as detailed in the video shared by local news.
Upon police arrival, Perez initially claimed she didn’t understand the situation and denied being involved in any accident. When an officer questioned her, she insisted, “I did not.”
The officer pressed further, asking about what had transpired. Perez replied, “I don’t know. I’ve never been in an accident before.” When asked for her insurance information, she said she had switched companies recently but could provide the name of her new insurer.
While detailing her whereabouts before the crash, Perez mentioned she had been at a friend’s business. The officer then inquired about any drinks consumed that night.
“I just had some wine while I was there,” she admitted, specifying it was one glass. When the officer further probed about the size of the glass, her response was somewhat evasive, suggesting he might want to contact the establishment.
A rating of her sobriety on a scale from zero to ten showed her slightly uncertain; she initially expressed a wish to go home but later rated her sobriety a four.
The officer explained the optional nature of field sobriety tests but encouraged her to participate in them. Despite his reassurances, Perez insisted on going home first, feeling confused and declining the tests.
“You’re not going to go home first,” the officer clarified, explaining that her decision on the tests needed to be made at that moment. After some back and forth about her options, she ultimately said no to the tests.
Following that exchange, she was informed she was under arrest for DUI. Perez, still in disbelief, asked for clarification about what was happening.
It’s noted that under Washington state law, the tests are voluntary, and refusing them results in a separate enhancement charge that is being pursued against her. An arrest report indicated that at the police station, she failed to provide a usable breath sample after three attempts.
In the patrol car, footage depicts her emotional turmoil as she sobs and prays for divine help, expressing her distress for several minutes.
It’s important to mention that state law doesn’t bar someone charged with a DUI from holding office. In fact, other Democratic lawmakers have maintained their positions after similar incidents, including House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, who openly acknowledged drinking before a legislative session earlier this year.
Fitzgibbon commented on his situation, expressing regret for his choice and vowing it would not happen again, emphasizing his commitment to fulfill his legislative duties responsibly.
