San Antonio Councilman Marc Whyte found himself on the wrong side of the legal limit after a late December DWI stop. According to KSAT, Whyte's blood test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.089 grams per 100 milliliters, just above Texas's legal limit of 0.08. This comes into public knowledge just as the city deliberates over six-figure salaries for its councilmembers.
The District 10 councilman was arrested on December 29 after a San Antonio police officer reportedly caught him speeding at 80 mph in a 65 mph zone. During the stop, Whyte declined to provide a sample, leading police to obtain a warrant to forcibly to collect his blood, which tested positive for alcohol content over the legal threshold. There were no drugs found in his system. "I did not feel intoxicated otherwise I would not have driven. But I take full responsibility for my actions," Whyte told KSAT via text message.
After the incident, the city council took action against Whyte, issuing a censure and the mayor suspending him from his committee assignments. His first court appearance is on the docket for March 26, where he will face a Class B misdemeanor charge. This charge could mean up to 180 days in jail and a fine of $2,000 as reported by KTSA.
Adding to the controversy, Whyte isn't the first District 10 councilman to find himself in such legal hot water; his predecessor, Clayton Perry, pleaded "no contest" to a drunken hit-and-run crash in November 2022. Both politicians were represented by attorney David Christian, who has declined to comment on Whyte's blood test results. The similarities between the two cases cast a long shadow over the seat representing District 10, serving to only remind constituents of the perils of entrusted power and the responsibility it carries.
