TACOMA, WA — Newly released Tacoma police video is offering a closer look at the DUI arrest of Washington House candidate Krista Perez, who won her primary just days before the incident. The footage, shot on Aug. 11, shows Perez standing outside her truck after a crash that police say damaged several vehicles near Lincoln High School.
Her case is now drawing attention because she is scheduled to appear in court Friday to plead to DUI and refusal-enhancement charges. The arrest has prompted fresh questions about whether the incident could affect her run in the November general election, even as state law does not automatically bar a person with a first-time DUI from holding office.
Body camera video shows Perez outside her crashed truck
The video released by Tacoma police shows Perez beside her vehicle with the airbag deployed on the driver’s side. In the footage, she tells an officer she had been driving home from a friend’s business, but says she does not remember the crash.
When the officer asks whether she got into an accident, Perez answers that she did not. Tacoma Municipal Court records say otherwise, describing a crash in which her truck struck a parked car and set off a chain reaction that damaged multiple vehicles after midnight.
The crash happened near Lincoln High School. Police wrote that Perez emitted a strong odor of alcohol, and they said she admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel.
Officer notes and Perez's own words describe alcohol use
According to police, Perez acknowledged that she had been drinking before the crash. In the video, she says, “I had some wine while I was there,” when asked about alcohol consumption.
Officers also documented that she declined to take a field sobriety test. Later, after she was placed in the back of the squad car in handcuffs, Perez appears confused about what was happening and tells officers, “I don’t know what any of this means.”
The combination of the body camera footage and the court records gives a fuller picture of how police say the encounter unfolded. The case has remained in public view as Perez prepares for her court date and the election season moves forward.
Primary victory came only a week before the arrest
Perez’s arrest came just one week after she narrowly defeated fellow Democrat and incumbent Melanie Morgan in the August primary. The margin was in the hundreds of votes, making the outcome close enough that the DUI case could become a factor in how voters view the general election race.
Perez is the mother of two and is running for a seat in the Washington state House of Representatives. The timing of the arrest has added an extra layer of scrutiny to a contest that was already competitive after the primary.
Voters in Tacoma interviewed by KOMO News gave mixed reactions. One said that if Perez seeks help, there may be hope for her to continue serving. Another said the incident reflected a pattern of bad choices.
Analyst says honesty and humility matter after an arrest
Political analyst Sandeep Kaushik said a candidate in Perez’s position would need to be direct and accountable if she hopes to rebuild trust. He said honesty and humility would be essential in responding to public concern.
Kaushik also noted that Perez’s opponent has faced past criticism over staff-related issues and questions about ethics. That context may shape how voters interpret the race, even as Perez deals with the immediate fallout from the DUI case.
The campaign did not respond to KOMO News’ request for comment about the video and the charges. Perez’s attorney was in court Thursday, with the Friday hearing expected to bring the next update in the case.
What Washington law says about a first-time DUI
In Washington, a first-time DUI is treated as a gross misdemeanor. State law does not automatically keep someone from serving in or being elected to public office because of that kind of charge.
That legal distinction matters in Perez’s case because the criminal process and the election process are moving on separate tracks. The court case could affect public opinion, but the charge itself does not disqualify her from remaining in the race.
As the November general election approaches, the arrest remains a political and legal issue for Perez. The newly released police video has added a visual record to the court filings and public debate surrounding her campaign.
