Assemblyman Hernandez apologizes, gives up state car

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Assemblyman Roger Hernandez (D-West Covina), who was arrested last month on suspicion of drunk driving, said Friday that he was sorry he drove a state car out of the Sacramento area without required permission.

Hernandez said he would give up his right to the vehicle until authorities decide whether to charge him with drunk driving.

“Having reviewed the rules of the Assembly, I learned I should not have used a state vehicle for travel outside the Capitol to the Bay Area, and I apologize to my constituents and colleagues for doing so,’ Hernandez said in a statement.

“I do believe pending test results will make clear that I was in fact driving within the law,’ he added. “Until this matter is resolved, I am voluntarily relinquishing my access to drive state vehicles.”

Hernandez was arrested in Concord at 2 a.m. March 27 after police spotted him weaving between lanes. He refused to take a Breathalyzer test but submitted to a blood test at the jail. The results are expected next month.

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-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento