State Rep. Victoria Neave was arrested by Dallas police on a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated overnight.
Police reported that they were called about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday about a BMW that had struck a tree at La Vista Drive and Abrams Road in the Lakewood area. Officers found the 36-year-old state lawmaker.
In a statement, Neave said she was grateful no one was hurt in the single-vehicle accident, and she accepts the consequences of her actions.
According to the police report, Neave, who's an attorney, repeatedly told officers, "I love you and I will fight for you and I'm invoking my 5th Amendment rights." Neave had a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and unsteady balance, according to the report.
Neave was uncooperative with officers, refusing to perform field sobriety tests or give a breath or blood sample, WFAA-TV reports. But she was forced to provide blood under a court order, The Dallas Morning News reports.
She was booked into the Dallas County at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. She was jailed for several hours and then released on $500 bond around 10 a.m.
#BREAKING: Excerpts from police report show Rep. Neave telling officer who arrested her for DWI: "I love you and I will fight for you..." pic.twitter.com/PIiwj0kd0D
— Jason Whitely (@JasonWhitely) June 7, 2017
Accident scene where DPD says State Rep Victoria Neave hit a tree last night while intoxicated pic.twitter.com/ik1umznFLN
— Rebecca Lopez (@rlopezwfaa) June 7, 2017
Statement from Neave, Dallas Democrats
Neave issued a statement Wednesday afternoon apologizing for the incident.
"Last night, I disappointed my family, my constituents and my supporters. I disappointed myself. I am deeply sorry. I am so grateful that no one was hurt. I will accept the consequences of my actions and will work to make this right."
The Dallas Democratic Party also issued a statement regarding Neave's arrest Wednesday. Chair Carol Donovan said:
"We understand, and are thankful, that no other person was involved or injured in the accident. Nevertheless, we look forward to speaking with her regarding the facts of her case and to insure she is alright. We wish her the very best and pray for her swift recovery so that she can resume her strong representation of the citizens of House District 107."
About the rookie lawmaker
Neave, a Pleasant Grove native, represents District 107, which covers East Dallas, Mesquite and Garland in the Texas House. She just finished her first legislative session in Austin and was recently named Freshman of the Year by the Texas House Democratic Caucus.
During the session, she strongly opposed the state's anti-sanctuary cities legislation. She fasted for four days before the Texas House debated Senate Bill 4 back in April. It was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 7.
She also authored House Bill 1729 to crowdfund money from Texans to help the state pay to test thousands of rape kits that have sat in a backlog. The bill passed and has been signed into law by Governor Abbott.
Neave supported the bill, signed last week, to save the troubled Dallas Police and Fire Pension Fund from insolvency, according to the Morning News. She also supports the statewide texting and driving ban that Abbott signed into law Tuesday.
Thanks @ATT @ItCanWait @BledsoeTy for bringing virtual reality texting & driving simulator to @VisitMesquiteTX! No text is worth a life. pic.twitter.com/W52S4i9W3k
— Victoria Neave (@Victoria4Texas) June 3, 2017
The Dallas Democrat beat Republican incumbent Kenneth Sheets last November in the state's most expensive House race. Days after the election, she talked about her win and her political aspirations with KERA.
