ROSWELL, Ga. — A high-ranking Mexican government official is facing serious charges after Roswell police say they caught him driving drunk.
Police say Atlanta's Mexican consul general, Ricardo Camara Sanchez, was driving erratically along Holcomb Bridge Road last week and then refused to pull over for an officer.
Because of his status, when he finally did pull over, he didn't go to jail.
In a recent interview with Telemundo Atlanta, Sanchez told his community to celebrate in moderation and not to drink and drive.
Roswell police said the diplomat failed to heed his own advice on Dec. 8.
"He was weaving within his lane. He was drifting across the white line," Roswell Police Officer Lisa Holland said.
Holland said an officer tried to pull over Sanchez on Holcomb Bridge Road, but he wouldn't stop.
"The officer's lights were on, sirens were on, and the car was driving substantially slower than normal," Holland said.
Sanchez finally pulled over along Georgia 400.
"The officer approached the car and immediately noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle," Holland said.
Because of diplomatic immunity, police couldn't arrest Sanchez, only cite him and send him home in a taxi.
In a statement, the Mexican embassy told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik that officials are aware of the incident.
"We trust that the investigation will be carried out in strict accordance with the applicable local and international guidelines. We remain attentive to the development and results of said investigation," the embassy said.
Petchenik spoke with Mexican citizen Carlos Galindo, who was at the consulate Tuesday. He told Petchenik that the consul general's actions set a bad example.
"I don't think it's right," Galindo said. "If that's what people here see from Mexican people, then it's not the best image to display."
The consul general didn't return Petchenik's calls for comment. He has a court date scheduled for January.
WSBTV
