State rep. arrested on DWI charge

AUSTIN (KXAN) - State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez is out of jail after being arrested on DWI charges.

Police arrested the 38-year-old around 8:30 p.m. Thursday. According to the arrest affidavit, Rodriguez was driving along Chicon Street in East Austin when an Austin police officer noticed his car weaving in its own lane for about 25 feet.

"The vehicle crossed a painted white line designated a bike lane only," stated the affidavit. "The vehicle failed to drive in a single marked lane."

The officer said Rodriguez smelled like alcohol, was swaying while standing and walking and his eyes were glassy. The police officer also stated Rodriguez told him he had four glasses of wine.

Rodriguez spent the night in the Travis County Jail and was released Friday Morning on a $2,000 personal recognizance bond.

Rodriguez did not take a breath test or undergo a blood draw. However, he started to take a field sobriety test but told the officer he was going to follow the advice of his attorney and not take the test.

Here's the statement representative released to KXAN:

"As an elected official, I want to be as open and up-front as possible to the public. Regrettably, on Thursday, March 18, I was charged with DWI. While the legal process runs its course, I will continue to serve my district in the same diligent and responsive manner that I have served since I was first elected in 2002."

In his e-mail to KXAN Austin News, Rodriguez wrote that he regretted that he could not comment further.

Rodriguez represents State House District 5, which covers much of East Austin.

He is a Democrat up for re-election this year.