El Centro mayor facing DUI charges

The mayor of El Centro and local DUI attorney Edgard Garcia was pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence on Tuesday night.

Garcia was pulled over on the corner of Cypress and Aurora street on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

According to El Centro police logs, Garcia refused to take a field sobriety test.

Garcia was then arrested and taken to the police station.

Police logs show that a third party, Thomas Olivas picked up Garcia at the police station.

The city of El Centro sent out a press release saying, they are aware of the incident and they are respecting the mayor’s privacy.

El Centro resident Jeannie Carson, says Garcia should be held to a higher standard.

“He needs to be held accountable, all officials should set an example for all people. The mayor should know and not act in a disrespectful way,” said Carson.

There’s always two sides of the story, im really big on that. and let’s see what he has to present us,” Carson said.

“He has the right to live a life, and make choices, some good and some bad as the rest of us. I don’t think it detracts from the work that he has done as a mayor,” said Eric Reyes, Imperial Valley Educator.

Garcia is facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Imperial County District Attorney’s office says they don’t have a court date for Garcia yet, and they are still waiting for his case to be filed.

We reached out to Garcia and his attorney, but have not received a reply.