Modesto Police Officer Charged With Drunk Driving
MODESTO, Calif. (AP) -- A Modesto police officer is facing drunken driving charges.
The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office has charged 40-year-old Mario Alexander Gonzales with misdemeanor driving under the influence and a special allegation that his blood alcohol level exceeded 0.15 percent. That's almost twice the amount at which a driver is considered drunk.
The charges were filed earlier this month
Authorities tell the Modesto Bee Gonzales was arrested on Dec. 19 after he was stopped by a California Highway Patrol officer on Highway 99 in Salida.
He was off-duty at the time.
Modesto police spokesman Rick Armendariz says Gonzales -- a 13-year veteran -- has been placed on paid administrative leave while the department conducts its own investigation.
Gonzales is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 28.
