SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) was cited for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) following a vehicle collision near the State Capitol on Monday, May 19, 2025.
The incident, which occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of 14th and S streets, has sparked controversy as Cervantes vehemently denies the allegations, claiming she was “falsely accused” and providing hospital lab results to support her case.
The Sacramento Police Department, however, maintains that officers observed “objective signs of intoxication” during their investigation, leading to a misdemeanor citation for suspected drug-related impairment.
The Incident: A Collision Near the Capitol
According to the Sacramento Police Department, officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision involving Senator Cervantes at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
Cervantes, 37, was driving a state-issued Toyota Camry when her vehicle was struck by a Ford Explorer, an incident she described as being “T-boned by a large SUV.”
The collision, which occurred just blocks from the California State Capitol, left Cervantes with minor injuries, and she was transported to a Kaiser Permanente hospital in South Sacramento by a private party for treatment.
Security footage from a nearby office building, reviewed by CalMatters, suggests that Cervantes was not at fault for the crash itself, as the SUV appears to have collided with her vehicle at the intersection.
However, the focus of the investigation shifted when officers met Cervantes at the hospital to continue their inquiry into the incident.
DUI Citation and Cervantes’ Response
At the hospital, Sacramento police officers conducted a DUI investigation after reportedly observing “objective signs of intoxication.”
According to police spokesperson Anthony Gamble, officers believed Cervantes was under the influence of a central nervous system depressant, though specific details about the observed signs were not disclosed.
The department clarified that the citation was for suspicion of drug-related impairment, not alcohol, and a blood sample was drawn for toxicology testing.
The results from the county crime lab are still pending, with police noting that it could take days or weeks to process.
Senator Cervantes, however, has strongly contested the police’s account. In a statement released Tuesday, she described the ordeal as “deeply distressing” and accused officers of “accosting” her and “involuntarily detaining” her for several hours while she sought medical care.
“I want to be clear: I did nothing wrong,” Cervantes said.
“The lab results I sought in the hospital show conclusively I had no alcohol in my system.
I expect this to be quickly and justly resolved.”
On Wednesday evening, Cervantes’ office released redacted hospital lab reports from Kaiser Permanente, which she claims demonstrate that no alcohol or drugs were present in her system.
The reports, as cited by ABC10, showed undetectable levels of opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, THC, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, ethanol, and oxycodone.
A hospital exam from the day of the crash noted that Cervantes’ blood alcohol level was less than 0.01 percent and that her vital signs and behavior were “normal.”
Cervantes reiterated, “The Sacramento Police Department’s accusations are unjust and hold no truth.”
Police Defend Their Actions
The Sacramento Police Department has stood by its investigation, stating that officers acted “professionally and respectfully” throughout the interaction, as evidenced by body camera footage.
The department declined to provide specific details about the “objective signs” of intoxication, citing the ongoing investigation.
In response to Cervantes’ claim of being “accosted,” spokesperson Allison Smith told The Sacramento Bee, “There was no indication Cervantes was accosted based on body-worn camera footage.”
The department has not yet released the footage, though public records requests from outlets like CalMatters and The Sacramento Bee are pending.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office is awaiting the results of the police’s toxicology report before deciding whether to file formal charges.
“Our office is waiting on toxicology results to be completed,” the office said in a statement.
“Once we have received those reports, all of the facts in the case will be reviewed for a filing decision.”
Cervantes’ Background and Political Context
Senator Sabrina Cervantes represents California’s 31st Senate District, encompassing parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including Jurupa Valley, Corona, Eastvale, and Riverside.
Elected to the Senate in November 2024 after eight years in the state Assembly, Cervantes has built a reputation as a trailblazer.
She is the first openly LGBTQ+ Latina to represent western Riverside County in the legislature and served as chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus from 2022 to 2024.
A UC Riverside graduate, Cervantes is also a mother of triplets, born in 2019, making her the first California legislator to give birth to triplets while in office.
Cervantes’ family has deep ties to public service in the Inland Empire. Her father, Greg Cervantes, is a former mayor of Coachella, and her sister, Clarissa Cervantes, serves on the Riverside City Council.
However, the family has faced scrutiny over DUI allegations in the past.
Clarissa Cervantes was arrested for DUI in 2014 and again in 2023, pleading guilty in both cases.
The 2023 arrest, which occurred during her campaign for the 58th Assembly District seat, contributed to her loss to Republican Leticia Castillo in November 2024.
The incident involving Senator Cervantes comes amid a string of DUI citations among California lawmakers.
In May 2023, then-State Senator Dave Min was arrested for misdemeanor DUI in Sacramento, later sentenced to three years of probation.
In November 2023, former Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles, an incident that derailed her Los Angeles City Council campaign.
These cases have prompted legislative leaders to implement measures like car services to transport lawmakers after late-night events, though questions remain about why Cervantes was driving a state-issued vehicle herself, given the availability of such services.
Political and Community Reactions
The citation has drawn significant attention, with Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire expressing support for Cervantes.
“Senator Cervantes is a fierce advocate for her community and our state, and I am proud to call her a friend,” McGuire said in a statement to POLITICO.
He urged authorities to resolve the issue “as soon as possible.”
Posts on X reflect divided sentiments. Some users, like @ExxAlerts, initially reported that Cervantes was cited for drunk driving and left the scene, though police have not confirmed any hit-and-run allegations.
Others, such as @CalMatters, emphasized that Cervantes did not appear to be at fault in the crash itself, while @ABC10 and @DevinTrubeyTV noted her lab results and the police’s claim of drug-related impairment.
The lack of clarity around the toxicology results has fueled speculation and debate online.
What’s Next?
As the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office awaits toxicology results, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for Cervantes’ political career.
A cleared name would bolster her defense and potentially lead to scrutiny of the Sacramento Police Department’s handling of the investigation.
Conversely, if the toxicology report indicates the presence of a controlled substance, Cervantes could face legal and political consequences, particularly given her high-profile role and the public’s expectations of elected officials.
Cervantes remains steadfast in her denial, emphasizing her commitment to transparency.
“As a Senator, wife, and mother, I hold myself to the highest standard and expect others that serve our communities to do the same,” she said.
Her office has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation while continuing to advocate for her constituents in the Inland Empire.
This developing story will be updated as toxicology results and additional details become available.
For now, the clash between Cervantes’ account and the police’s findings underscores the complexity of the case and the high stakes for all involved.
Back to Daily Market News.
Follow us on Facebook.
About The Author
