Nevada State Sen. Edgar Flores was reported by FOX5 Vegas to have been above the legal blood alcohol content limit at the time of his DUI arrest on September 12. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that an initial blood test revealed Flores' BAC was 0.082, which is slightly over the legal driving limit of 0.08. A second test, taken one hour later, reported a BAC of 0.062. Flores, after being arrested, was found near the intersection of Lamb and Lake Mead boulevards in a state that suggested he may have been slumped over and sleeping in his car.
Despite the evidence, Flores has maintained his innocence, citing exhaustion from a demanding day filled with work, events, and a late dinner. "The breathalyzer confirmed a 0.00 BAC, and we are confident the blood test will confirm the same," Flores claimed in a statement obtained by FOX 5. He further indicated that his legal team was investigating whether his rights and privacy had been duly respected during the arrest. Hours following his detention, a breath test administered by police did indeed register a BAC of 0.00, as the senator's campaign noted in their response to inquiries.
Additional details provided by 8 News Now include Flores' admission of consuming a 24-ounce beer earlier on the night of his arrest. Video evidence released after a records request shows the senator being awakened by an officer and subsequently performing field sobriety tests. Nevada law states that to prosecute for DUI, it must be proven the driver was above the legal limit within two hours of the arrest. Given that blood alcohol levels decrease over time, the time lag in testing could be seen as irrelevant to the firmness of the state's case against Flores.
Flores, representing northeastern Clark County and an attorney by profession, is currently involved in a federal lawsuit against Metro with a trial set for October. The senator faces a misdemeanor DUI charge, and while he has not been formally charged as of the report's date, documents indicate the testing of his blood samples was prioritized. "Senator Flores and his legal team have not received any information or documentation from Metro," a statement from Flores' re-election campaign read, as noted by 8 News Now. They reasserted their belief in his eventual vindication and pledged to continue promoting transparency and accountability in collaboration with community and law enforcement. If convicted, the misdemeanor charge could result in a variety of penalties, ranging from community service to license revocation and attending mandatory classes.
