A Democratic lawmaker in Connecticut was arrested for driving whereas impaired over the weekend, changing into the fourth state consultant from the celebration to be caught by authorities with a buzz behind the wheel over the past two years.
State Rep. Aundré Bumgardner, 30, was arrested shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday when city police allegedly caught him driving with a blood alcohol content material two occasions increased than the authorized restrict on Gold Star Freeway in Groton.
Bumgardner — who was elected at 20 years outdated, making him the youngest state rep in Connecticut’s historical past — put out an apology and stated he’s devoted to creating issues proper, however he didn’t specify what precisely he plans to do.
“Last night, I was cited for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply regret this mistake. I am grateful that no one was harmed and that no accident occurred,” Bumgardner wrote in an announcement Monday.
“I recognize the seriousness of this situation and am committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure it never happens again. To my family, friends, colleagues, and the residents of the 41st District, whom I am honored to serve, I sincerely apologize for my actions and the disappointment I have caused.”
Groton city police didn’t launch extra particulars concerning the incident.
Following his arrest, Bumgardner, an assistant majority chief within the state Home of Representatives, was stripped of his assignments and suspended from all committees, in keeping with Speaker of the Home Matt Ritter.
Three different state representatives discovered themselves in equally unfit states behind the wheel in 2023, in keeping with Connecticut Insider.
State Rep. Geoff Luxenberg, deputy chief of the Home Democratic caucus, was arrested on Nov. 16, 2023 and charged with driving a car whereas beneath the affect.
Whereas driving, Luxenburg repeatedly hit the brakes and swerved right into a right-turn-only lane and again round 1 a.m. earlier than he was apprehended by Willimantic police, cops stated.
On March 16, 2023, state Rep. Robin Comey, a Democrat representing Branford, was charged with DUI following a crash in Hartford. Comey presently faces a lawsuit filed by a person who claims that she struck his SUV when her automobile flipped in Hartford.
On the time of the crash, police stated that Comey’s blood-alcohol content material was 0.14, which is .05 above the authorized restrict in Connecticut.
On Jan. 5, 2023, state Rep. Quentin “Q” Williams, a 39-year-old Democrat representing Middletown, was killed by a wrong-way driver after leaving Gov. Ned Lamont’s inaugural ball. Whereas he was not answerable for the crash, Williams’ blood-alcohol content material was above the authorized restrict, in keeping with toxicology checks.
The incorrect-way driver additionally died within the head-on collision and toxicology checks discovered that her blood-alcohol stage was above the authorized restrict. She additionally had THC in her system on the time, officers stated.
Bumgardner is scheduled to look in court docket on March 14 on the Superior Court docket in New London.
