AURORA | The police report for newly elected Aurora Councilmember Rob Andrews revealed that his blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when he was suspected of drunken driving Saturday night.
Just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday night, officers said they saw Andrews commit multiple driving violations before pulling him over for a traffic stop.
“We observed a red pick-up truck make a left-hand turn onto (South) Chambers Road from (East) Florida Ave.,” the report said. “The pick-up truck made an improper turn… during the turn, the pick-up truck almost struck the east curb. The truck then drove north before making a U-turn and driving south on (South) Chambers Road.”
The report said the truck was weaving between two lanes near South Chambers Road and South Chambers Circle. Previously, Andrews confirmed in a statement his irregular driving when it was reported he was arrested for a DUI.
Andrews, 41, said that on Saturday night, “I was pulled over by Aurora Police after making an improper U-turn. After sobriety testing, officers determined I was not fit to drive.”
The report also alleged that when an officer asked Andrews for his driver’s license, he handed the officers his city council identification card instead. After handing officers the correct identification, he said he was unable to present his car insurance because his phone was broken, according to the police report.
When questioned about where he was coming from and where he was heading, Andrews told officers he had come from an event at Stanley Market Place and had to meet his son to help him jump his vehicle, according to the report.
Police said they suspected Andrews was inebriated, smelling alcoholic beverages on his breath. Andrews told officers he had “two gin drinks,” the report said.
Andrews performed and failed a roadside sobriety test, and shortly after, the officers said in the report that they determined he was driving under the influence, and they arrested him and transported him to the Aurora Municipal Jail.
“Based on the results of the roadside maneuvers and the odor of alcohol, I informed Mr. Andrews that I believed he was driving under the influence of alcohol,” the officer said in the report.
He agreed to a blood-alcohol level test from a breath analyzer, police said.
At the jail, after waiting the required “deprivation period,” Andrews was given a breathalyzer that did not work. He finally passed a valid test at 11:02 p.m.
His blood alcohol level was 0.252, according to the police report. The blood alcohol limit for a driving while ability impaired charge is 0.05-0.08. A blood alcohol limit of 0.08 and above triggers a driving under the influence charge.
Andrews was taken in on a detox hold to the Aurora Municipal Detention Center and released Sunday, according to Joe Moylan. The report said Andrew’s personal belongings and vehicle were given to his stepson at the scene, per Andrew’s request.
“I take full responsibility for my decision. I am deeply sorry — to my family, to the people I serve, and to everyone who expects better from me,” Andrews said. “I am grateful no one was hurt. That does not lessen the seriousness of what happened. Driving when I was not fit to drive put others at risk, and that is on me.”
Andrews said he was “cooperating fully” with police and prosecutors “and working closely with my family and counsel as this moves forward.”
It’s unclear whether the DUI case against Andrews would be heard in Arapahoe County court.
If convicted, the charge would not impact his ability to serve in public office, according to city codes. In 2018, former Councilmember Nicole Johnston was convicted of driving while her ability was impaired and continued her term.
Andrews, a Democrat, made it clear in his statement that he would continue in his at-large city council term, which he won in the Nov. 4 election last year.
“Accountability has to mean more than words. I am committed to doing what restorative justice asks of all of us — naming the harm, learning from it, and taking concrete steps to repair trust,” Andrews said. “I will follow through on the consequences, do what’s needed to ensure this never happens again, and continue working to earn back the confidence of this community.”
Andrews has still not provided details about the charges or what he would do next.
“I am sorry,” he said. “I will do better, and I will prove it through my actions.”
Andrews is chairperson of the city council’s Public Safety Committee. He was among four new Democratic members elected to the city council, along with At-Large Council member Alli Jackson, Gianina Horton in Ward I and Amy Wiles in Ward II.
It is not unclear whether his DUI charges will be adjudicated in Aurora’s Municipal Court. The Municipal Court does not accept such fiulings, never has.+
Any 41 year old man who drives while 3(!) times the legal limit—especially in our era of Uber—is seriously lacking sound judgment. Anderson showed a complete disregard for public safety. He should immediately resign from the city council.
I agree he used extremely poor judgment. I also am impressed that after the fact he seems to be owning up to his mistake. I wonder. Is he on the transportation and or public safety committees. If so perhaps it is appropriate that he be reassigned, for the time being.
Hegseth didn’t resign
I looked it up. He chairs Public Safety and is on the Transportion Committee. A bit of a bad look at this time. Once his legal matter is resolved he could be returned to those Committies. As for this year I would advocate reassignment.
Attempt to influence a public servant is a Class 4 felony. Why is he not being charged, considering he handed his city council ID card? Feels like he was trying to get out of this DUI using his public servant status.
With the revelation that CM Andrews handed the officer his Council ID rather than his drivers license, I’m withdrawing my earlier suggestion that he only step down from the Public Safety Committee. He needs to go. Below is my message sent earlier today:
“Mayor Coffman & City Council-
With the revelation that CM Andrews handed his council ID to the officer rather than his drivers’ license, I am withdrawing my statement of January 19 where I called on him to only step down from Public Safety.
Regardless of whether the DA decides to charge him with violating the state statute on influencing a public official, it is my opinion he likely did so and should be removed from Council — by recall if necessary. To spare the city any further distraction, I call on CM Andrews to resign from City Council immediately. He is NOT above the law.
Thank you.”
His only option is to quit drinking. He had his chance. Fine, community service. Probation and AA.