Washington State Democrat Krista Perez Arrested for DUI

<p>Krista Perez, a Democrat candidate for a state House seat in Washington, was arrested for DUI after her vehicle allegedly struck a parked car, causing damage to five vehicles. Police body camera footage shows Perez admitting to drinking wine, declining field sobriety tests, and expressing a desire to go home before sobbing and praying in the back of a patrol car.</p><p>Perez finished first in the primary for the 29th Legislative District and will face incumbent state Rep. Melanie Morgan in the general election. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on August 11, 2023, when Perez's 2019 Chevrolet Silverado collided with a parked car on South G Street.</p><p>Following the crash, Tacoma Police charged Perez with DUI, including a refusal enhancement due to her declining to take sobriety tests. In the footage, Perez initially claimed she was not involved in an accident and later admitted to consuming wine, stating she had one glass.</p><p>The officer asked her to rate her sobriety on a scale of zero to ten, to which she responded with a four. Despite being informed that the sobriety tests were voluntary, she declined to participate, repeatedly expressing confusion and a desire to go home.</p><p>After being informed of her arrest for DUI, Perez expressed uncertainty about the situation. Under Washington state law, declining roadside sobriety tests is not a requirement, and the refusal enhancement relates to her inability to provide a usable breath sample at the police station.</p><p>Footage from the patrol car shows Perez sobbing and praying for help. Washington state law does not prevent individuals with a DUI charge from serving in the legislature. Other lawmakers have retained their positions following alcohol-related incidents.</p><p>House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, for example, acknowledged drinking alcohol before a committee hearing and expressed disappointment in his actions, stating he would take responsibility for his choices.</p>