A California Democratic lawmaker who wrote a contentious law allowing therapists to emancipate 12-year-olds from their parents was arrested for crashing into other vehicles while driving drunk.
Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D.) was arrested at 1:35 a.m. by the Los Angeles Police Department for a DUI traffic collision, according to a department spokeswoman who told the Washington Free Beacon that the lawmaker's blood alcohol content was recorded simply as "high." She was booked at a Los Angeles jail shortly after 4 a.m., sheriff's department records show. The spokeswoman added that there were no recorded injuries from the crash.
The arrest is the latest high-profile DUI for a California Democrat. State senator Dave Min, the Democratic establishment's preferred candidate for Rep. Katie Porter's (D., Calif.) congressional seat, was arrested in May for driving with nearly twice the allowed blood alcohol levels. Video of the arrest obtained by the Free Beacon shows him lying about the number of drinks he had.
A representative for Carrillo did not respond to the Free Beacon's request for comment, but in a statement to Politico the lawmaker said she had crashed into parked vehicles before she was arrested.
Carrillo made headlines in the past legislative session for her coauthored bill with state senator Scott Wiener (D.), which allows children on Medicaid to check themselves into residential shelters without their parents' knowledge. Any therapist or school counselor, including an intern or trainee, may sign kids as young as 12 into these shelters.
The legislation, which Gov. Gavin Newsom (D.) signed last month, puts a special emphasis on LGBT minors—provoking fears that gender-confused children could use the law to leave home if their parents don't approve of gender transitions.
Carrillo plans to leave the State Legislature after this term and is running for a competitive seat on the Los Angeles City Council.
In her statement to Politico, she said, "I am aware that I must adhere to a higher standard that demands personal accountability for my conduct and I accept responsibility for my actions."