RI Rep. Sanchez Refuses To Resign After Arrest, Denies He Drove Drunk: Report

CRANSTON, RI — State Rep. Enrique Sanchez (D-Providence) has reportedly refused to resign after Cranston police accused him of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Sanchez told WPRI 12 he was not intoxicated when he was pulled over — rather, he was having a "medical issue." Following the arrest in Cranston last week, the Rhode Island Young Republicans and several lawmakers from the opposite side of the aisle called on Sanchez to resign.

"They can criticize and ask me to do whatever," Sanchez told WPRI 12. "Our own president has been convicted of felonies, and so on, and they stay silent about that. I’m not trying to downgrade my mistake or my issues, or compare or contrast anything."

Sanchez, a second-term representative, was charged with DUI, refusing a chemical test and failure to obey traffic control devices. Police said Sanchez was arrested around 3 a.m., Feb. 3, after his car was found on Reservoir Avenue stopped at a green light.

Police shared bodycam video, which showed Sanchez telling the officer he was on his way home to Providence from a friend's house in Central Falls. The officer told Sanchez he was driving the wrong direction to get home, and he smelled like alcohol.

Sanchez pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Monday morning and was released on personal recognizance.

Editor's note: This post was derived from Cranston police information and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for Rhode Island Patch police reports.

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