California State Sen. Sabrina Cervantes was cited for suspicion of DUI after her car was struck by an SUV. Cervantes claims police “accosted” her at the hospital, falsely accusing her of being intoxicated, and stated lab tests indicated no alcohol in her system. She called the incident distressing and emphasized that she did nothing wrong. The Sacramento Police observed signs of intoxication during their investigation and issued her a citation. The District Attorney’s Office is awaiting toxicology results before deciding on charges. This incident follows a DUI arrest involving Cervantes’ sister, which has drawn public scrutiny.
California State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside, was detained and cited on Monday for suspected drunken driving, as reported by Politico.
Cervantes accused the police of “accosting” her and wrongfully claiming she was driving under the influence.
She further stated that hospital lab tests indicated she had no alcohol in her system, although Fox News Digital has not been able to confirm this claim.
“On Monday afternoon, while seeking medical attention in the emergency room after my sedan was T-boned by a large SUV, I was accosted by officers from the Sacramento Police Department, falsely accused of DUI, and involuntarily detained for several hours. This experience was extremely distressing and left me even more shaken,” Cervantes commented in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The Sacramento Police shield on a police vehicle in Sacramento, Calif., March 24, 2018. (Reuters/Bob Strong)
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On Monday, Cervantes was driving near the state Capitol in downtown Sacramento when her vehicle collided with another car, according to a Sacramento police officer who spoke to Politico. Upon arriving at the hospital, officers allegedly determined that the senator was intoxicated, an accusation she vehemently denies.
“As a senator, wife, and mother, I maintain the highest standards and expect the same from others who serve our communities. I want to clarify: I did nothing wrong. The lab results I requested in the hospital confirm that I had no alcohol or drugs in my system. I expect this matter to be resolved quickly and fairly,” Cervantes stated.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office informed Fox News Digital that it is awaiting toxicology results before deciding whether to file charges.
“Our office is currently waiting for the toxicology results to be finalized. Once we have those reports, we will review all the facts of the case for a filing decision. Until then, we will refrain from further comments,” the statement noted.
State Senator Sabrina Cervantes denies the allegations of driving under the influence. (State Sen. Sabrina Cervantes’ website)
Cervantes reiterated that she was “accosted” by law enforcement and “involuntarily detained for several hours” at the hospital, describing the situation as “deeply distressing.”
The Sacramento Police Department told Fox News Digital that officers arrived at the scene of the collision involving Cervantes at approximately 1:30 p.m. that day. She was then taken “by private party to an area hospital for minor injuries,” according to police accounts.
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“Officers also engaged with Sen. Cervantes at the hospital as part of the investigation. Upon interaction, officers noted objective signs of intoxication and conducted a DUI investigation, leading to the issuance of a citation for suspicion of DUI,” the Sacramento Police Department informed Fox News Digital.
This incident arises nearly two years after Cervantes’ sister, Clarissa Cervantes, who was a city council member, faced arrest for DUI. Just weeks prior to that arrest, a 2015 DUI conviction against Clarissa was dismissed, as reported by CBS News. The more recent event resulted in public outrage and calls for her resignation.
A view of the California state capitol building during the National Urban League California Legislative Advocacy Day on March 13, 2024, in Sacramento, California. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for National Urban League)
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“I regretfully made the worst decision of my life in my early 20s when I chose to drive after drinking one evening. At that time, I was emerging from a domestically abusive relationship that had seriously affected my mental and physical well-being,” Cervantes stated to CBS News.
As of publication, neither of the Cervantes sisters had resigned from their positions.
State Sen. Cervantes’ team did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.