Utah Senate majority leader arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence

Utah state senator arrested on suspicion of DUI

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah state senator was arrested Friday in Salt Lake City on suspicion of driving under the influence, authorities said.

The Utah Highway Patrol said it pulled over Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, after a trooper noticed a vehicle with a “poor driving pattern.”

The trooper who stopped Killpack noticed a strong odor of alcohol and asked him to exit the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests. The patrol said Killpack refused to take a portable breath test.

Killpack was arrested on suspicion of DUI, and the UHP said he then refused to take a different type of breath test. The highway patrol got a warrant to take blood and Killpack was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. He was later released.

The Utah Highway Patrol said Friday that blood results could take anywhere from two weeks to a month.

“It is unfortunate that this has occurred and that the Utah Highway Patrol had to make the arrest,” the patrol said. “With that being said, no one is above the law and we must treat this like any other DUI-related arrest.”

In a statement Friday, Killpack said he was “deeply sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me.”

“I am a firm believer in responsibility and personal accountability, and am prepared to accept all personal, legal and political consequences for my actions,” he added.

UHP Sgt. Jeff Nigbur said he couldn’t discuss how Killpack performed on the field sobriety tests. Nigbur said Killpack never mentioned his position at the Legislature to the trooper and the trooper didn’t know who Killpack was.

Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups told The Associated Press that Senate Republicans will discuss the issue next week and will be “looking to (Killpack) to tell us what he wants us to do.”

“When (Killpack) and I spoke this morning, he indicated he is accountable for his actions and I respect him for that,” Waddoups said. “Senator Killpack has served this state, and the Senate, with distinction and he remains in our hearts and prayers.”

Utah Republican Party Chairman Dave Hansen added that it is “inexcusable for anyone, especially those in positions of public trust, to violate our laws. It is also against those standards which we as Republicans stand for and expect from those who represent our party.”