AUSTIN (KXAN) — A prosecutor with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office was charged with driving while intoxicated on Sunday, according to the Austin Police Department. Police say 37-year-old Erika Hansen was arrested during the No Refusal initiative, where a total of 33 people were arrested over the weekend. According to an arrest affidavit, Hansen drove into a parked car in the 1200 block of East Seventh Street just before 1 a.m. The 911 caller told police the driver “appeared to be attempting to leave the scene.” Hansen told authorities she was distracted and struck the vehicle.
During questioning, Hansen told police she drank two pints of beer between the hours of 9-11 p.m. According to the court documents, Hansen consented to a breathalyzer test and blew a .19, which is more than two times the legal limit.
“We have talked with Ms. Hansen and are currently reviewing the matter,” says First Assistant District Attorney John Neal in an email. Neal says Hansen is currently on the job. Employment records show Hansen has worked with Travis County since 2008. Neal says prior to coming to the DA’s Office in 2015, Hansen was employed with the County Attorney’s Office.
Monday evening, Hansen’s attorney, Rick R. Flores, released a statement:
“While many of the details surrounding her arrest are still unknown at this time, we do know that Erika was fully cooperative with APD and voluntarily gave a specimen of her breath and blood, when asked. She will continue to cooperate and take responsibility for her actions as the case makes its way through the legal system. Erika is a highly-respected prosecutor in our community and is an asset to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.”
Last year, Travis County Judge Gisela Triana was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. The charge was later dropped because “the blood test taken that night showed Judge Triana to have a blood alcohol content of 0.076, under the legal limit of .08,” said Travis County Attorney David Escamilla in July.
Poster Comment:
First, it was Rosemary Lehmberg (Travis County DA), the judge, then this gal - something about Travis County legal officials and booze?? LoL!!!!