Washington state house candidate faces DUI charges after collision; police video shows emotional arrest

A Democratic candidate vying for a seat in the Washington state House of Representatives was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a multi-vehicle collision last month. Police video footage released publicly shows the candidate, Krista Perez, admitting to consuming alcohol, declining sobriety tests, and subsequently praying and crying while detained in the back of a patrol car after the incident.

Perez, who is campaigning for the 29th Legislative District, Position 1, secured the top spot in the recent primary election and is set to challenge incumbent State Representative Melanie Morgan, also a Democrat, in the upcoming November general election. The incident and the subsequent charges introduce a new element into a significant political race.

Collision details and initial police interaction

The incident occurred shortly after midnight on August 11 when Tacoma Police responded to a report of a collision on South G Street. According to authorities, Perez’s 2019 Chevrolet Silverado allegedly struck a parked vehicle, initiating a chain reaction that ultimately damaged five cars in total. Upon arrival, officers engaged with Perez regarding the circumstances of the crash.

Body camera footage from the scene captures the police questioning Perez. Initially, she appeared disoriented, stating she did not comprehend what was happening and denied involvement in an accident. When pressed about the collision, Perez reiterated her lack of understanding, mentioning she had never been involved in such an event before. She also provided details about a recent change in her insurance provider when asked for her documentation.

During the questioning, Perez informed officers that she had been driving from a friend’s business located on Tacoma Avenue South when the accident took place. An officer then directly inquired about her alcohol consumption that evening.

• Perez admitted to having “just some wine” at the friend’s business.
• When asked about the quantity, she stated she had consumed “one glass.”
• Upon further inquiry regarding the size of the glass, she suggested the officer contact the business for more information.
• Asked to rate her sobriety on a scale of zero (completely sober) to 10, Perez initially expressed a desire to go home before eventually rating herself a “four.”

Declining sobriety tests and arrest

The interaction progressed with officers offering Perez the opportunity to undergo standardized field sobriety tests. Officers explicitly informed her multiple times that participation in these tests was entirely voluntary. They explained the tests were designed to assess potential impairment due to alcohol and sought her consent to proceed.

Perez, however, repeatedly declined the tests, consistently stating her wish to go home and expressing confusion about the situation. She insisted, “Not right now. I’d like to go home first.” The officer clarified that going home was not an immediate option and that her decision regarding the tests needed to be made at that moment. Despite the explanation, Perez continued to ask if she was permitted to refuse the tests, to which the officer affirmed her right to choose. She ultimately declined the tests.

Following her refusal, officers informed Perez that she was under arrest for driving under the influence and instructed her to place her hands behind her back. Footage shows her reacting to the arrest by saying, “Hold on. Hold on. One second. Hold on,” and repeatedly stating she did not understand the meaning of her arrest. The officer clarified that it meant she was being taken into custody for DUI.

Emotional moments and legal ramifications

Inside the patrol car, subsequent footage captured a deeply emotional scene. Perez was seen sobbing profusely, praying aloud, and asking for divine intervention. Her prayers included pleas such as, “Help me, God. Help me. Help me. Holy Spirit, help me, God,” with the crying lasting for several minutes. This personal moment highlights the distress experienced by the candidate during her arrest.

Legally, Perez faces charges of DUI, compounded by a refusal enhancement. In Washington state, declining roadside sobriety tests is distinct from the refusal enhancement. The latter charge, according to reports, stems from her inability to provide a usable breath sample at the Tacoma Police headquarters after three attempts, leading to the machine timing out. This refusal can carry additional penalties in DUI cases.

Political context and precedents

The incident raises questions about its potential impact on Perez’s candidacy for the state House seat. However, Washington state law does not prohibit individuals with a DUI charge from serving in the legislature. This fact provides a crucial context for understanding the political landscape surrounding such incidents.

There are precedents within the Democratic party in Washington where lawmakers have retained their positions after alcohol-related incidents. For example, House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon publicly apologized after acknowledging he had consumed alcohol before a House Appropriations Committee hearing. Fitzgibbon issued a statement taking responsibility for his “poor choice” and committed to completing his work without alcohol, subsequently maintaining his leadership role. These past cases suggest that while the arrest is a significant event, it may not necessarily disqualify Perez from continuing her campaign or serving if elected.