State assemblyman apologizes after DUI arrest

SACRAMENTO — State Assemblyman Martin Garrick apologized today after being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

The Republican from Solana Beach was driving his state-issued vehicle to the Capitol Wednesday night when officers on bicycles spotted him driving erratically but could not get him to pull over, authorities said.

Mike Zimmerman, Garrick's spokesman, said the assemblyman did not hear the officers because his windows were rolled up.

"There was no attempt at evasion," Zimmerman said.

The California Highway Patrol said Garrick was driving his vehicle 45 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran through a stop sign. He accelerated rapidly then turned abruptly into the Capitol garage. Police followed and arrested him on suspicion of DUI then released him.

"I promise my family and my constituents in the 74th District that I will never drink and drive again," Garrick said in a statement issued today. "I apologize to my family for the embarrassment I have caused them. I also apologize to my constituents."

Garrick was absent when the Assembly convened Thursday but said he would return Monday.

His arrest came just hours after Democrats in the Legislature passed a budget for the coming fiscal year over Republican opposition.