Bodycam Bombshell: Senator Sabrina Cervantes' DUI Citation Details Revealed

A recently released police bodycam video has pulled back the curtain on the August 26th traffic stop that led to a DUI citation for California State Senator Sabrina Cervantes. The footage, made public on September 19th, details the events of a late-night encounter in Corona that saw the prominent Inland Empire legislator cited for driving under the influence, sending ripples through the political landscape.

The incident began when Cervantes, a Democrat representing portions of Riverside County, was pulled over by a Corona Police Department officer.

Reports indicate she was initially stopped for allegedly speeding, driving 83 mph in a 65 mph zone. What followed was a series of interactions meticulously captured by the officer’s body-worn camera, now offering an unfiltered look into a high-profile traffic stop.

In the video, the officer can be heard noting signs of impairment, including an odor of alcohol emanating from Cervantes' vehicle and her having red, watery eyes.

When questioned, Cervantes initially denied consuming any alcohol, a claim she later amended, admitting to having had “half a glass” of wine earlier in the evening. The exchange reportedly shows her attempting to identify herself as a state senator and asking the officer if he knew her boss, whom she identified as the Corona police chief, a constituent.

Despite her position, the officer proceeded with standard protocol, administering field sobriety tests (FSTs).

The footage reportedly depicts Cervantes struggling with these tests, providing further grounds for the officer’s suspicion. Following the FSTs, a breathalyzer test was administered, revealing a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .09%—just above California’s legal limit of .08%.

Given the findings, Cervantes was cited for misdemeanor DUI and subsequently released into the custody of her husband, rather than being booked into jail, a common practice for first-time misdemeanor DUI offenses.

The incident quickly garnered significant attention, prompting Cervantes to issue a public apology for what she described as a “lapse in judgment” and to accept full responsibility for her actions. This incident underscores the strict enforcement of DUI laws, even for those in positions of power, and highlights the transparency provided by modern police bodycam technology.