While still showing remorse for his Oct. 7 drunk driving arrest, Road Commission for Oakland County Board Chairman Rudy Lozano did not introduce a new policy making commissioners turn in their county vehicles for driving drunk at a meeting last week.
RCOC spokesman Craig Bryson said Lozano made the decision not to pursue the issue further after consulting colleagues and RCOC officials. They decided there were already proper procedures in place to accomplish the same goal.
‘After talking, they said if an employee or board member is arrested in a road commission vehicle that vehicle is taken until the employee gets a valid driver’s license,? said Bryson, who acknowledged the policy does not specifically regard board members.
According to Bryson, because Lozano was not working at the time of his arrest in Independence Township, there are no other penalties in place.
Lozano said he is currently leasing a vehicle and turned in the car to RCOC on Oct. 26 because ‘it was the right thing to do.?
Recalling the night of his arrest, Lozano said he was socializing at the Deer Lake Athletic Club in Clarkston. Lozano said he could not recall the number of drinks he had.
‘Talk to the bartenders. They know I know my limitations? Sometimes I’ll leave two or three full drinks in front of me,? said Lozano.
About an hour and a half after returning home from the bar, he slipped on some loose floor tiles cutting his head. Lozano recalled not being able to stop the bleeding, leading him to drive to a medical clinic on Dixie Highway.
‘I admit it. I had too much to drink. I also say if I had repaired the tiles I would never have had to leave home,? said Lozano. ‘I apologize. I was stupid. I embarrased my company and colleagues and I’ll pay the price for it.?
Allegedly, workers at the clinic notified police when Lozano left the medical center after refusing offers to arrange for alternate transportation.
‘I don’t remember leaving, but I remember driving there’the last thing I recall (before being pulled over) is talking to the doctor who said he’d give me a shot behind my ear and a tetunus shot. So I told him while I was there I needed a flu shot,? said Lozano.
As of yet, Lozano is not arraigned. The case will be handled by Lapeer County Assistant Prosecutor Matt Funke to avoid any conflict of interest.
According to police reports subsequent breathalyzer tests revealed Lozano’s blood alcohol level to be .24 and .23 respectively.