Full Breakdown
Washington Democratic Candidate Krista Perez Charged with DUI After Multi-Vehicle Crash
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
Shortly after midnight on August 11, Tacoma Police reported that Krista Perez’s 2019 Chevrolet Silverado struck a parked car on South G Street, triggering a chain reaction that damaged five vehicles. Body-camera footage shows Perez admitting she had “just had some wine” – one glass – and repeatedly telling officers she wanted to go home. She declined the optional standardized field-sobriety tests, rated her sobriety a four on a zero-to-10 scale, and was later arrested in the patrol car, where she is seen praying and sobbing.
Legal and Procedural Details
Prosecutors filed a DUI charge with a refusal-enhancement allegation. Under Washington state law, roadside sobriety tests are voluntary; declining them does not itself create a refusal enhancement. The enhancement in Perez’s case stems from a later encounter at the police headquarters, where she failed to provide a usable breath sample after three attempts before the device timed out. State law does not bar a person charged with DUI from serving in the legislature.
Political Context and Potential Impact
Perez finished first in the recent primary for the 29th Legislative District, Position 1, and will face incumbent Democrat Rep. Melanie Morgan in the November general election. The incident arrives amid prior instances of Washington lawmakers facing alcohol-related scrutiny, such as House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, who publicly apologized after drinking before a committee hearing earlier this year.
Official Statements & Responses
The Tacoma Police Department confirmed the crash details, Perez’s refusal of field tests, and her subsequent arrest for DUI. A police spokesperson noted that the refusal-enhancement charge relates to the failed breath-sample attempts at headquarters. Legislative officials reiterated that a DUI charge does not automatically disqualify a candidate from office, citing precedent from past lawmakers.
Verbatim Quote
- “I made a poor choice last night by drinking alcohol before we had finished our work for the day. I am disappointed in myself and take responsibility for that poor choice. It won’t happen again, and I’m committed to completing my work this session without alcohol,” — Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon