Dallas

Texas State Representative Arrested on DWI Charge in Dallas After Crash

State Rep. apologizes in video published to Facebook

Freshman Texas State Rep. Victoria Neave (D-Dallas) told police "I love you and I will fight for you" as she was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated following a single-vehicle crash in Dallas Tuesday night.

Dallas police said Neave, 36, drove her BMW into a tree near the intersection of Abrams Parkway and La Vista Drive at about 11:30 p.m.

When officers arrived, they said Neave was unsteady, had blood shot eyes and that her breath smelled of alcohol.

Texas State Rep. Victoria Neave is arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after a single-vehicle crash in Dallas Tuesday night.

According to police, Neave's speech was slurred during field sobriety tests in which she repeatedly requested her attorney while invoking her 5th amendment rights. She refused a request for a blood specimen, so police obtained a blood warrant and a sample was taken at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.

The representative was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor, and booked into the Dallas County Jail at 3:38 a.m., police said. She was released Wednesday morning after posting $500 bond.

Police said Neave has no prior DWI convictions.

Wednesday afternoon, Neave issued a public apology in a video published to Facebook.

Texas State Rep. Victoria Neave (D-Dallas) issued a public apology in a video published to Facebook after she was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Neave represents District 107, which includes eastern portions of Dallas, Mesquite and Garland. She was sworn into her first two-year term in the Texas House in January.

During the 85th Legislative session, which ended last month, the freshman representative staged a four-day fast against the so-called "sanctuary cities" bill signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 7.

She also sponsored a bill asking drivers renewing their licenses to donate $1 or more to help fund the testing of thousands of rape kits awaiting analysis. Texas has about 3,800 untested kits at a state lab and thousands more in cities such as Dallas and Austin -- processing a kit costs between $500 and $2,000. The bill was passed and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 29; it goes into effect Sept. 1.

On May 29, the Texas House Democratic Caucus named Neave Freshman of the Year.

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Unsurprisingly, news of the Representative's arrest drew condemnation from Republicans and calls for support from Democrats.

Phillip Huffines, Chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party, said "Dallas County doesn't need representatives who are break the law and endanger our children and the public by driving drunk. Dallas County, and House District 107 must demand better. Our focus is on getting Republicans elected throughout the County and we will be actively supporting the Republican nominee for this seat in 2018."

Huffines plans a run for political office in 2018, hoping to win the District 8 seat and join his brother Don Huffines in the State Senate.

Dallas County Democratic Party Chairman Carol Donovan also issued a statement saying, "We understand, and are thankful, that no other person was involved or injured in the accident. Nevertheless, we look forward to speaking with her regarding the facts of her case and to insure she is alright. We wish her the very best and pray for her swift recovery so that she can resume her strong representation of the citizens of House District 107."

Neave is a partner in the Dallas law firm Neave & Scott, with attorney Mark Scott, specializing in personal and business litigation. According to a bio on the firm's website, Neave grew up in Pleasant Grove and decided to attend law school after becoming involved in civil rights advocacy groups at a young age. After graduation, she worked as a litigation attorney for an international firm before launching her own practice.

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