State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Houston, was arrested in Montgomery County after crashing his Corvette into a minivan and failing a sobriety test Friday night, according to police records.

Porter, where the crash occurred, is about a three-hour drive away from Austin. According to the report, Huberty told officers he was driving back from the legislative session in Austin.

Montgomery County Precinct 4 constables responded to an accident in Porter and arrived to find a Corvette “parked under a minivan.” The three people in the minivan suffered minor injuries, according to the report, and the driver of the Corvette, identified as Huberty, was unharmed. The Corvette was impounded and Huberty was arrested for DWI, according to the report

Huberty refused to give a blood sample after he was arrested, but officers obtained a warrant. Officials conducted a blood test, but the results could take up to two weeks to become available, according to Mike Holley, First Assistant District Attorney in Montgomery County.

Huberty, authorities said, appeared flushed, dazed and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. He smelled strongly of alcohol, slurred his speech and failed his walking and balance tests, according to the report.

A deputy observed that Huberty was standing outside of his car inspecting the damage and said “the lady slammed on her brakes and he did not stop in time.” Another witness said they saw the Corvette run a red light and did not see his brake lights turn on before he crashed into the minivan.

A video posted to YouTube by the Montgomery County Police Reporter shows police detaining Huberty and towing the Corvette away.

“Last night I was driving under the influence of alcohol and involved in a minor automobile accident in Montgomery County,” Huberty, who is serving his sixth legislative session in the House, posted Saturday on Facebook. “Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. I regret my actions and apologize to my constituents and my family. I am seeking treatment options to begin today.

His bail was set at $1,500 and he was bonded out within hours of his arrest, according to the report.

Huberty was elected to the Texas House in 2011 after serving on the Humble ISD school board for five years and as Board President in his last year. Huberty has also worked with the nonprofit Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Students Against Drunk Driving for nearly 20 years.

In 2019, Huberty authored a massive bill to improve public education and raise teachers’ pay that passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and became one of the landmark bills of the legislative session.

 

This article was written by ANNA CANIZALES of The Texas Tribune.  The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them – about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.  This article originally appeared at: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/04/24/dan-huberty-texas-rep-dwi/

 

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