Las Vegas police arrested Nevada State Sen. Edgar Flores (D–2nd Dist.) last week on suspicion of driving under the influence after officers discovered the lawmaker slumped over in his vehicle at a traffic light, according to newly released body-camera footage.
Authorities said Flores, 39, was behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler in northeast Las Vegas shortly after midnight on Sept. 12 when officers approached his car.
The engine was running, the gear was in drive and his foot was pressed on the brake. Officers knocked on the window before Flores stirred awake, appearing dazed and disoriented.
When questioned about the incident, Flores apologized, saying, “Sorry, I think I must have fallen asleep.”
He admitted to having a drink earlier that evening but downplayed the amount, claiming it was “just a drink” consumed around midnight.
According to The New York Post, police noted that Flores showed several signs of impairment, including delayed responses, watery eyes, and apparent confusion.
Officers instructed him to perform a field sobriety test, during which he appeared unsteady and required clarification for several instructions before eventually completing the exercises.
Following the test, officers placed him under arrest.
The arrest report also indicated that Flores initially refused a preliminary breath test at the scene.
His campaign later clarified that he complied with both a breathalyzer and a blood draw, noting that the breath test returned a 0.0 result.
The blood analysis, which could take up to 90 days to process, is expected to confirm his claim that he was not intoxicated.
Flores was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on a misdemeanor DUI charge.
Under Nevada law, misdemeanor DUI arrests can result in release without bail or a court appearance, a procedure some critics argue allows influential individuals to avoid immediate accountability for dangerous behavior, The Gateway Pundit reports.
Following the arrest, Flores publicly acknowledged that he should not have been driving while fatigued, but he denied being impaired.
“I was just way too tired,” he said. “Driving tired is dangerous, and I should not have been in that position. Luckily, it was just me sleeping, but in another scenario, you could be swerving or hit a car.”
His campaign added that he had attended several work and community events earlier in the day, exercised late in the evening, and then had dinner before returning home.
Critics argue that Flores’s actions are inconsistent with his political platform, which emphasizes accountability and public safety.
Opponents contend that falling asleep at the wheel—after admitting to consuming alcohol—raises serious questions about his judgment and suitability for office.
The incident has also drawn attention to the Democratic Party’s slim majority in the Nevada legislature.
Flores’s legal troubles may become a political liability as voters scrutinize lawmakers’ adherence to public safety standards and state criminal justice policies.
Flores is scheduled to return to court for a status hearing on Jan. 12 to determine whether prosecutors will file a criminal complaint.
Until the results of his blood test are released, the senator’s political future remains uncertain, leaving supporters and critics alike watching closely to see how this episode will affect his career.
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