San Antonio's District 8 City Councilwoman, Ivalis Meza Gonzalez, was taken into custody late Thursday night and hit with a DWI charge, marking a legacy of such legal troubles within the city's political landscape. KSAT-12 reported that a vehicle, driven by Gonzalez, was observed moving at reduced speeds and having difficulties maintaining a single lane on I-10 near Hildebrand Road. Despite her denial of consuming any alcohol, the arresting officers noted signs such as slurred speech, watery eyes, and an alcohol scent surrounding her. As per the report, she refused a blood test and was subsequently booked into Bexar County Jail with a $1,000 bond.
The councilwoman, Gonzalez, had only stepped into her official role this past June after a runoff election victory. Before then, she was known as the chief of staff for the former Mayor Ron Nirenberg. According to MySA, a blood draw warrant details that SAPD Officer Quiroga pulled her over and noted she was driving slower than other vehicles, and drifting into the shoulder. Upon performing sobriety tests, Gonzalez displayed a significant number of intoxication indicators. Yet, she claimed to have had no alcohol despite coming from a downtown club.
Gonzalez's arrest comes amongst a pattern of related incidents involving city council members. Her predecessor, Marc Whyte, navigated a similar situation in December 2023, and a plea arrangement helped him avoid a DWI charge, instead receiving a conviction for obstruction of highway. Clayton Perry, another former council member, faced DWI charges around the same time in 2022, later settling with a plea deal requiring probation, community service, an ignition lock on his vehicle, and fines.
Following her arrest, Gonzalez was released on bond Friday midday from the Bexar Adult Detention Center. It had been disclosed that back in 2010, she was granted an occupational driver's license after her license had been suspended or revoked for reasons not noted for medical reasons or delinquent child support, according to Texas DPS. The exact cause of the previous license issues is not immediately clear. Meanwhile, MySA reported reaching out to Gonzalez's office, but, did not receive a response before publication.
