FROM DESERET NEWS

MILLCREEK — Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, was arrested early Friday for investigation of DUI.

In a statement released by the Senate, Killpack said, "I am deeply sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me — my colleagues in the senate, my constituents and, most importantly, my family. I am a firm believer in responsibility and personal accountability, and am prepared to accept all personal, legal and political consequences for my actions."

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, Killpack was pulled over near 700 East and 3300 South about 12:15 a.m. after a member of the UHP's DUI sqaud noticed a vehicle "with a poor driving pattern." A trooper stopped the vehicle in the parking lot of the Supersonic Car Wash and the trooper noticed a strong odor of alcohol as soon as he spoke with Killpack, a UHP release states.

The trooper asked Killpack to perform the standard field sobriety test, which he did before allegedly refusing to breathe into a portable breath tester. According to the UHP, he was arrested, then he refused to take a second breath test. UHP officials then obtained an "E-warrant," which allowed them to take his blood.

The UHP said the results of the blood test can take two to four weeks. The department reiterated in a statement to the media that Killpack is innocent until proven guilty.

"It is unfortunate that this has occurred and that the Utah Highway Patrol had to make the arrest," the statement reads. "With that being said, no one is above the law and we must treat this like any other DUI-related arrest. Senator Killpack has done many great things for this state and its citizens."

Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said he spoke with Killpack briefly Friday morning.

"He sounded down. Contrite. He wanted to get to his family to discuss it with them," Waddoups said in a telephone interview from Florida, where he's attending a conference of Senate presidents.

Waddoups said they did not talk about the details of the arrest but he offered Killpack his support. "He said, 'I'm a man and I can handle this like a man.' But it's stressful."

He said Killpack's father was killed by a drunk driver when Killpack was a young teenager. Waddoups said he'd was not aware Killpack even drank alcohol.

"I'm shocked," Senate Majority Whip Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, told the Deseret News. "Sheldon, I just think the world of him. He is one fine individual. What would cause this is beyond me."

The situation could cost Killpack his leadership post, Jenkins said.

"Our caucus, we're a very rambunctious group of people," Jenkins said. "I think it's a possibility. Republicans, we pride ourselves in taking care of our problems."

The Senate GOP caucus is scheduled to meet Jan. 20 and Waddoups said, "I'm sure it will be a major discussion item."

The Senate leader said Killpack also has to answer to his constituents. That could be difficult, Waddoups said. Elected officials have lost their positions "on much worse issues than this in other places," he said.

"But in Utah, he has to represent his constituency and they're a pretty conservative group up there in northern Davis County."

FROM  SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack was booked into jail Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.

The Syracuse Republican was stopped at 12:17 a.m. at 3300 South and 700 East after his vehicle was driving erratically, the UHP said. The trooper noticed "a strong odor of alcohol" and asked Killpack to perform field sobriety tests.

Killpack performed the tests but refused to take a breath test. He was arrested, and police later got a warrant to take blood. He was booked into Salt Lake County Jail at 2:45 a.m.

The UHP did not immediately release the results of the blood test, saying they could take two weeks to a month to get back.

In a statement, Killpack apologized for those who he has disappointed.

"I am deeply sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me -- my colleagues in the Senate, my constituents and, most importantly, my family," Killpack said. "I am a firm believer in responsibility and personal accountability, and am prepared to accept all personal, legal and political consequences for my actions."

Killpack's father was killed by a drunken driver when he was a teenager and he has sponsored and supported legislation aimed at cracking down on impaired drivers. He was the Senate sponsor last year of a law that allows the seizure of vehicles for habitual drunken drivers.

"Coming from a family who has lost a member as a result of somebody driving under the influence, a lot of times we hear about the inconvenience of something like this where you would lose a vehicle," he said during debate of the bill. "I would invite people to examine the inconvenience of someone losing a family member as a result of someone driving under the influence."

Senate President Michael Waddoups, who has been a crusader for tougher drunken driving penalties, said the arrest is a difficult time for Killpack and his family.

"He has requested privacy as he addresses the situation with those closest to him," Waddoups said. "When he and I spoke this morning he indicated he is accountable for his actions and I respect him for that. Senator Killpack has served this state, and the Senate, with distinction and he remains in our hearts and prayers."

FROM DESERET NEWS

MILLCREEK — Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, was arrested early Friday for investigation of DUI.

In a statement released by the Senate, Killpack said, "I am deeply sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me — my colleagues in the senate, my constituents and, most importantly, my family. I am a firm believer in responsibility and personal accountability, and am prepared to accept all personal, legal and political consequences for my actions."

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, Killpack was pulled over near 700 East and 3300 South about 12:15 a.m. after a member of the UHP's DUI sqaud noticed a vehicle "with a poor driving pattern." A trooper stopped the vehicle in the parking lot of the Supersonic Car Wash and the trooper noticed a strong odor of alcohol as soon as he spoke with Killpack, a UHP release states.

The trooper asked Killpack to perform the standard field sobriety test, which he did before allegedly refusing to breathe into a portable breath tester. According to the UHP, he was arrested, then he refused to take a second breath test. UHP officials then obtained an "E-warrant," which allowed them to take his blood.

The UHP said the results of the blood test can take two to four weeks. The department reiterated in a statement to the media that Killpack is innocent until proven guilty.

"It is unfortunate that this has occurred and that the Utah Highway Patrol had to make the arrest," the statement reads. "With that being said, no one is above the law and we must treat this like any other DUI-related arrest. Senator Killpack has done many great things for this state and its citizens."

Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said he spoke with Killpack briefly Friday morning.

"He sounded down. Contrite. He wanted to get to his family to discuss it with them," Waddoups said in a telephone interview from Florida, where he's attending a conference of Senate presidents.

Waddoups said they did not talk about the details of the arrest but he offered Killpack his support. "He said, 'I'm a man and I can handle this like a man.' But it's stressful."

He said Killpack's father was killed by a drunk driver when Killpack was a young teenager. Waddoups said he'd was not aware Killpack even drank alcohol.

"I'm shocked," Senate Majority Whip Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, told the Deseret News. "Sheldon, I just think the world of him. He is one fine individual. What would cause this is beyond me."

The situation could cost Killpack his leadership post, Jenkins said.

"Our caucus, we're a very rambunctious group of people," Jenkins said. "I think it's a possibility. Republicans, we pride ourselves in taking care of our problems."

The Senate GOP caucus is scheduled to meet Jan. 20 and Waddoups said, "I'm sure it will be a major discussion item."

The Senate leader said Killpack also has to answer to his constituents. That could be difficult, Waddoups said. Elected officials have lost their positions "on much worse issues than this in other places," he said.

"But in Utah, he has to represent his constituency and they're a pretty conservative group up there in northern Davis County."

FROM  SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Utah Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack was booked into jail Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.

The Syracuse Republican was stopped at 12:17 a.m. at 3300 South and 700 East after his vehicle was driving erratically, the UHP said. The trooper noticed "a strong odor of alcohol" and asked Killpack to perform field sobriety tests.

Killpack performed the tests but refused to take a breath test. He was arrested, and police later got a warrant to take blood. He was booked into Salt Lake County Jail at 2:45 a.m.

The UHP did not immediately release the results of the blood test, saying they could take two weeks to a month to get back.

In a statement, Killpack apologized for those who he has disappointed.

"I am deeply sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me -- my colleagues in the Senate, my constituents and, most importantly, my family," Killpack said. "I am a firm believer in responsibility and personal accountability, and am prepared to accept all personal, legal and political consequences for my actions."

Killpack's father was killed by a drunken driver when he was a teenager and he has sponsored and supported legislation aimed at cracking down on impaired drivers. He was the Senate sponsor last year of a law that allows the seizure of vehicles for habitual drunken drivers.

"Coming from a family who has lost a member as a result of somebody driving under the influence, a lot of times we hear about the inconvenience of something like this where you would lose a vehicle," he said during debate of the bill. "I would invite people to examine the inconvenience of someone losing a family member as a result of someone driving under the influence."

Senate President Michael Waddoups, who has been a crusader for tougher drunken driving penalties, said the arrest is a difficult time for Killpack and his family.

"He has requested privacy as he addresses the situation with those closest to him," Waddoups said. "When he and I spoke this morning he indicated he is accountable for his actions and I respect him for that. Senator Killpack has served this state, and the Senate, with distinction and he remains in our hearts and prayers."