Report: South Texas deputy arrested for DWI while driving sheriff-owned vehicle

Austin police arrested Hipolito Hinojosa Jr., a Hidalgo County sheriff's deputy, on a charge of driving while intoxicated on Thursday. Hinojosa has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending an internal investigation, Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. "Eddie" Guerra said in a Facebook post. less Austin police arrested Hipolito Hinojosa Jr., a Hidalgo County sheriff's deputy, on a charge of driving while intoxicated on Thursday. Hinojosa has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending an ... more Photo: Austin Police Department Photo: Austin Police Department Image 1 of / 77 Caption Close Report: South Texas deputy arrested for DWI while driving sheriff-owned vehicle 1 / 77 Back to Gallery

A Hidalgo County Sheriff's deputy charged with drunken driving in Austin was pulled over in a vehicle owned by the sheriff's office, according to a news report.

Hipolito Hinojosa Jr. has resigned from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office following his Dec. 10 arrest, news station KGBT reported.

Hinojosa — while driving the sheriff-owned black Ford truck — almost hit another vehicle while switching lanes without signalling at around 12:15 a.m. on Dec. 10, according to an arrest affidavit.

"The driver of that car hit their brakes and had to swerve into the #1 lane to avoid a collision," the affidavit reads.

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After an officer pulled him over, Hinojosa said he drank six 12-ounce draft beers before getting behind the wheel, according to the affidavit.

Hinojosa then blew a .142 during a preliminary breath test, the affidavit said.

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Hinojosa had been placed on administrative leave without pay prior to his resignation.

Two other Hidalgo County deputies have been arrested on alcohol-related charges in recent weeks, Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. "Eddie" Guerra said in a Facebook post. Both deputies are no longer employed by the sheriff's office.

jfechter@mySA.com

Twitter: @JFreports