Florida Mayor Arrested for DUI

Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe was arrested on DUI charges and property damage after he was found asleep behind the wheel of his car at the scene of a crash last Thursday.

A state trooper was called to the accident near the intersection of Northeast 21st street and Northeast 156th avenue.  When officials arrived on the scene at around 3:45am, they said Lowe appeared to be intoxicated and his silver Honda Civic was heavily damaged.  A field sobriety test was performed which showed Lowe to be under the legal limit.  The arresting officer concluded that Lowe was impaired at the time of the crash and he was later booked into the Alachua County Jail.  He was released later that afternoon on his own recognizance.

Lowe did admit to having three beers earlier that night, troopers said.

Craig Lowe, who is headed toward a runoff election against Ed Braddy on April 16th, issued a prepared statement Friday assuring residents and supporters that he would remain on the ballot.  “Over the next few days and weeks, I will continue to perform my duties as Mayor and work hard as a candidate for re-election,” said Lowe.

He is scheduled to reappear in court on April 11th for his arraignment.  “I will accept the consequences of my actions and face the sanctions that are deemed appropriate,” he said.