SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio police officer has been suspended from the force indefinitely following a DWI arrest in 2020.
Disciplinary reports made public Tuesday show that Rafael Hernandez III had a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.226 -- nearly three times the legal limit -- when he was pulled over for swerving at a high rate of speed.
Hernandez was notified of his suspension on April 1, and on the following day, he requested arbitration through his lawyer.
"Officer Hernandez, specifically and generally, singularly and plurally, denies the truth of the charges and allegations against him," his lawyer said in the letter requesting arbitration.
Hernandez will remain suspended through the arbitration process.
Original story:
Just before 3 a.m. on October 22, 2020, a San Antonio police officer was pulled over after he was allegedly seen swerving and driving about 100 miles per hour.
According to the San Antonio Police Department, officer Rafael Hernandez III was observed traveling on Northwest Loop 410 westbound near I-10 West on the city's northwest side.
The arresting officer determined that Hernandez was impaired after he was given a DWI evaluation. He was arrested for DWI.
In a statement to KENS 5, SAPD said Hernandez has been employed with the department for 3½ years and will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a criminal and administrative investigation.