Assemblyman Martin Garrick Arrested for DUI

The California Highway Patrol arrested Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Carlsbad, around 10 p.m Wednesday at the State Capitol on suspicion of drunken driving.

Bicycle-mounted CHP officers saw a sedan traveling 45 mph in a 25 mph downtown zone, and the vehicle didn’t even slow down for a stop sign, said CHP Officer Sean Kennedy.

The officers signaled for the Garrick to stop, but he turned onto another street and then entered a basement parking garage at the Capitol building.

Kennedy said “the officers observed signs and symptoms of intoxication” that led them to conduct a field sobriety test.

Garrick was taken to a CHP station and later released. He will face a misdemeanor DUI count, Kennedy said.

Garrick issued the following apology:

I am deeply sorry for my lapse of judgment yesterday evening. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is dangerous.  I apologize to my family for the embarrassment I have caused them, and I hope they will forgive me for my actions. I also apologize to my constituents.  They have the right to hold their elected representative to a high standard, and I regret that it was one I failed to meet last night. I will strive to never let them down again. Last night’s incident was isolated, but it served as a stark wake-up call. I promise my family and my constituents in the 74th District that I will never drink and drive again.

Representatives from Garrick’s office said he was not in Sacramento Thursday but would return on Monday.

Garrick served as the Assembly GOP leader in 2010. He was elected to the Assembly in 2006 and will be termed out in 2012.

CNS contributed to this report