Yakima,WA : two people injured at Yakima Cityon April, sunday 16th 2017

Police records show Yakima City Councilwoman Carmen Mendez’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit for driving when she rear-ended another vehicle, injuring two people on Sunday evening.

Breath-alcohol tests taken by Mendez ranged from 0.179 to 0.185 — more than twice the legal limit of 0.08, according to police records.

Contacted Thursday afternoon, Mendez declined to comment.

The accident happened shortly after 9 p.m. at the intersection of South 16th Avenue and West Tieton Drive. Mendez’s Malibu struck the rear of a Chevrolet Suburban, which police said appeared to have been stopped at the time. There were no skid marks detected from Mendez’s car, police said.

Two occupants of the Suburban suffered what were described as minor injuries. They were taken to a hospital for complaints of neck, head and back pain.

Police said Mendez, 29, denied she had been drinking, but showed obvious signs of impairment during a field sobriety test.

She was taken to the Yakima Police Department, where after phoning an attorney she consented to provide two breath samples. Police described Mendez as cooperative, polite and seemed upset by the incident, at times crying.

Placed in a temporary holding room while police completed paperwork, she was provided “courtesy transport home” by an officer.

The case has been forwarded to Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Brusic, who has asked the Washington State Patrol to review the city’s investigation to prevent a potential conflict of interest.

Brusic said Thursday he expects to have results of the State Patrol investigation within a few days.

Determining possible charges will have to wait until the patrol’s report can be reviewed, he said.

Source :
Yakima council member's blood alcohol more than twice legal limit after crash