Yakima Deputy Mayor Carmen Mendez has been charged with Driving Under the Influence in connection with an April 16th accident.

Yakima County Prosecutor Joe Brusic filed a gross misdemeanor DUI charge for the car collision that left 2 people hurt. Prosecutors were considering a charge of vehicular assault, but Brusic says the severity of the injuries didn't justify the charge.

Mendez was not jailed following the accident, but was instead driven home by Yakima Police officers, however she does face a mandatory 48 hours in jail because her BAC was twice the legal limit.

The councilwoman is not expected to resign from her position, as there is no morality clause in the list of requirements for council members.

Mendez is expected to release a statement through her attorney on Thursday.

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