Attorney releases body camera footage in crash involving state Sen. Sabrina Cervantes
By: -----
Sacramento, CA - New body camera footage was released of the incident involving state Senator Sabrina Cervantes and the Sacramento Police Department.
Earlier this month, Cervantes filed a lawsuit against the City of Sacramento after being cited for suspicion of driving under the influence, following a car crash blocks away from the state capitol. Her attorney said Cervantes was falsely accused and that the incident caused her emotional distress and damaged her reputation.
Jim Quadra, Cervantes' attorney with Quadra & Coll, filed a government claim almost four months after Sacramento police cited her in May.
A video released by Cervantes' attorney includes excerpts obtained from the Sacramento Police Department and shows Cervantes repeatedly asking for a blood alcohol test while in the hospital. In the footage, an officer insists on conducting an eye test to assess her sobriety instead. However, documents shown in the video show the officer wrote down that Cervantes refused a blood test.
Sacramento Police provided ABC10 with the following statement when asked about the released body cam footage.
“Due to pending litigation, we will not be providing comment on the Cervantes matter,” the department said.
On May 19, Cervantes was issued a DUI citation after she was in a car crash at 14th and S Streets.
She was taken to the hospital, and when officers arrived as part of an investigation into the crash, they said Cervantes displayed “objective signs of intoxication.” They did a DUI investigation where they cited her on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.
Following the citation, Cervantes released a statement saying a large SUV T-boned her sedan. While seeking care in the emergency room, she said she was “accosted” by Sacramento police and was involuntarily detained for several hours.
"On Monday, May 19th, I was a victim of a traffic collision. My sedan was T-boned by a large SUV that ran through a stop sign. While I was seeking care in the emergency room, I was falsely accused of driving under the influence and detained for several hours at the hospital," said Cervantes earlier this month.
The Sacramento Police Department said they didn't see any indication that officers accosted Senator Cervantes after reviewing body camera video.
"Officers conducted a thorough investigation and remained professional and respectful throughout it," police said in a statement.
According to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Cervantes’ toxicology report came back negative, providing ABC10 with the following statement:
“The toxicology results were negative for any measurable amount of alcohol or drugs. We have reviewed all the submitted evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and laboratory results. Based on our ethical duty and the burden of proof in a criminal trial, the Sacramento County DA’s Office declined to file any criminal charges in this case.”