New Details In Assemblyman's DUI Stop Released

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The California Highway Patrol released new details on the traffic stop that has led to a DUI case against a state lawmaker, and law enforcement officials insist that he was given no special treatment when he was cited and released at the scene.

Assemblyman Martin Garrick (R-San Diego) had a blood-alcohol level of nearly twice the legal limit when bicycle police stopped him in the Capitol garage in June for suspicion of DUI.

The police report said, "He denied feeling intoxicated at the time of the stop and state he was driving expeditiously because he was having severe stomach pain and diarrhea."

Garrick told police he'd simply had a meal of spaghetti and meatballs with bread with a friend and had three glasses of red wine. Officers gave the Garrick a field sobriety test anyway, and said he made several mistakes in balance and counting tests.

In a separate section called finger count, "He performed 10 sets, very poorly. He failed to touch the tip of his fingers to the tip of his thumb, counted out of order, double tapped his fingers," the report stated.

CHP Sgt. Rick Campbell said he's never heard of a field sobriety test being given inside the Capitol but stated that no favoritism was shown to the Assembly minority leader. Garrick appeared so sick that he needed medical attention and was cited and released without being booked into jail.

"I'm not a doctor and our employees aren't trained in the medical field," Campbell said.

Garrick and his staff declined to comment to CBS13 about the report. His next court date is scheduled for next month.