Senator admitted to drinking vodka before DWI arrest

Hank Silverberg, wtop.com

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A U.S. senator who was pulled over by police in Alexandria may have consumed vodka before he got behind the wheel.

Republican Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo was pulled over in Alexandria in the early morning hours of Dec. 23. According to the police report obtained by WTOP, he told police that he had consumed several shots of vodka several hours before getting behind the wheel.

The police report describes Crapo with bloodshot eyes and slurred speech as they questioned him. Police pulled him over after they say he ran a red light on Mount Vernon Avenue.

Crapo was charged with driving while intoxicated and faces a court hearing next month. He is a Mormon and had previously told the Associated Press that he abstains from alcohol because of his religious beliefs.

Since the arrest, Crapo has apologized, saying he will take responsibility and make sure the mistake is never repeated.

The senator was also charged with disregarding a red light.

He has a court date on the DWI charge in January.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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