A state senator representing eastern North Carolina has been charged with driving while impaired in Raleigh, according to arrest records.
Sen. Norman Sanderson, 74, of Pamlico County, was arrested Saturday near the intersection of Edwards Mill Road and Trinity Road in Raleigh and charged with DWI, records show.
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The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Sanderson had a .16 blood alcohol content level after testing at the Wake County Detention Center.
Sanderson also faces misdemeanor charges of failure to obey a traffic officer and transporting an open container of alcohol. He posted a $2,000 bond, and a court date is scheduled for Nov. 7, according to records.
On Sunday, a spokesperson from the Senate Republican Caucus sent a statement from Sanderson that reads:
“Last night I made a regrettable mistake, and I take responsibility for my actions. I want to apologize to my constituents, my colleagues, and my family for letting them down. I commend the State Highway Patrol and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office for their professionalism during the incident.”
Sanderson, a Republican, represents Carteret, Chowan, Halifax, Hyde, Martin, Pamlico, Warren and Washington counties, according to the N.C. General Assembly.
His arrest comes just after Representative Cecil Brockman was arrested earlier this month for child sex charges.
Senator Phil Berger addressed, both Sanderson's and Brockman's arrests after he was asked if the two should resign.
“I think the legal process obviously has to work out,” he said.
Berger said members of the House have been discussing the steps to take. They are debating whether to question Brockman. They are also considering if he should resign or be removed.
As for Sanderson, Berger said the situation just happened. He said he was not in a position at this point to ask him to resign.
“I have talked to him,” Berger continued. “He's as per his statement, he is very apologetic, admits his mistake, acknowledges that he did wrong.”