LORAIN, Ohio — Lorain police arrested embattled city councilman Angel Arroyo for reportedly driving intoxicated and causing a crash near East 28th Street and Pearl Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Monday, marking the third time that Arroyo has been arrested in the past 18 months. According to police reports and dash camera video, Arroyo refused to take a field sobriety test at the scene and refused to submit to blood alcohol content testing at the city jail.
Arroyo, who will not be seeking reelection, was arrested in January for domestic violence and resisting arrest. In December 2017, Arroyo was arrested for public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing official business.
Officers were dispatched to the area of East 28th Street and Pearl Avenue for a crash involving two vehicles. Arroyo’s vehicle had heavy front-end damage after it struck the front right side of the other vehicle. When officers were speaking to Arroyo, they reported noticing his eyes were red and watery, the report states. Arroyo was also reportedly disoriented and smelled of alcohol.
“I asked [Arroyo] for his license and he gave me his registration,” the officer wrote in his report. “I again asked for his license and he tried to give me his registration. I then told him that was not his license and at that point [Arroyo] presented his license. I asked [Arroyo] how much he had to drink and he denied drinking any alcohol. I asked him why I detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he said that I did not.”
During the investigation into the accident, a man approached the responding officers and said he did not believe Arroyo was driving at the time of the accident because he had been drinking in a nearby bar with Arroyo before the crash.
Based on Arroyo’s reportedly slurred speech, glassy eyes and disorientation, he was asked to submit to field sobriety tests but refused, according to a police report. After transporting Arroyo to the city jail for official BAC testing, Arroyo then refused to provide a breath sample, the report states. Arroyo has also been charged with violating the state’s implied consent law.
During the more than hour long interaction with police, Arroyo was very uncooperative at times, often repeating himself and asking the same question multiple times.
“I’m not intoxicated. I live on this block,” Arroyo told police while sitting in back of a cruiser. “I was going to Senaca and I was going to make a right turn. Then I was going to E. 30th to make another right turn. I live on this block. I need both of [the officers’] badge numbers. I need both of your car numbers and your names… I’m irritated because I didn’t violate any laws.”
Shortly after posting his $2,100 bond, Arroyo tweeted around 3 o’clock Tuesday morning.
“No matter what you read or see over the next few days. There is [sic] always 2 sides to a story,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo did not return calls or emails for comment.
In regards to Arroyo’s future on the city council, Lorain City Council President Joel Arrendondo said the body’s hands are legally tied. Under state law, the council cannot take punitive action against Arroyo because he has not been charged with a felony. The council cannot censure Arroyo.
“It’s a very unfortunate incident,” Arrendondo said. “All we can do is pray for him. We ask that everybody pray for him.”
Councilman Joshua Thornsberry echoed Arrendondo’s thoughts.
“It’s very sad. I hope he gets the help he needs,” Thornsberry said.
Arroyo announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking reelection so he could focus on his family. Arroyo has a pretrial hearing for his January 2019 domestic violence arrest scheduled for March 26.
Arroyo will be arraigned for his drunk driving charge on Thursday in Lorain Municipal Court.
