An attorney for Peoria Heights Mayor Matt Wigginton is calling the actions of Peoria Police “deplorable” for arresting him on suspicion of DUI.
Peoria Police arrested Wigginton early Friday morning in a Downtown Peoria parking deck. According to media reports, police indicated Wigginton, 42, was slumped over the wheel of the vehicle when they arrived. Officers said Wigginton’s eyes appeared to be glassy and bloodshot, his speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol.
Defense attorney Kevin Sullivan said Wigginton was at a civic-related event at the Pere Marquette Hotel for about five hours that night and decided to take a nap when he got to his car.
“He wasn’t feeling especially well and decided just to close his eyes,” Sullivan said, adding there’s no evidence Wigginton had driven or was planning to drive in that condition.
“I think it’s deplorable, I think it’s so unfortunate that somebody who was not just thinking of themselves but maybe thinking about others did the right thing and did not drive and would not have driven until having felt better,” Sullivan said. “It’s people who do the right thing that end up getting the wrong treatment.”
Sullivan said Wigginton refused a breathalyzer test on the scene and was taken to the hospital for evaluation — which the attorney described as inexplicable — before being taken into custody.
Wigginton was released from custody early Friday. He is due in court next Friday.
WCBU has reached out to Peoria Police for additional information about the case.
