A former Caldwell lawmaker who made headlines in recent weeks for involvement with an ongoing criminal investigation is now facing charges for Driving Under the Influence and Resisting or Obstructing Officers.
36-year-old Brandon Hixon was taken into custody just after 9:00 Saturday night by Meridian Police. Both charges are misdemeanors.
"Officers were first alerted to Hixon after another motorist called in a drunk driver between Kuna and Meridian on Highway 69/Meridian Road northbound," a press release from the City of Meridian stated. "The witness stated Hixon was swerving and almost drove off the roadway."
A Meridian police officer located the car and initiated a traffic stop on Meridian Road at the I-84 westbound on-ramp, but officials say Hixon refused to stop and continued driving before yielding to the officer on I-84 at Linder Road.
Police say Hixon initially refused the exit the vehicle and officers, not knowing exactly what they were dealing with conducted a high risk stop. Hixon eventually got out of the car and was taken into custody.
"Officers conducted standardized field sobriety tests and he submitted to a breath alcohol content test, which resulted in an alcohol level which indicated a blood alcohol content of almost twice the legal limit," the press release stated.
Hixon recently stepped down from his position, while authorities handed over an ongoing criminal investigation involving Hixon to the Idaho Attorney General's Office.
Hixon was elected to the Idaho House in 2012. He serves on the House Business, Health and Welfare, Transportation and Defense panels. He has flown relatively under the radar during his time in office, introducing only a handful of bills that have made it out of committee.
Hixon is expected in court Monday.
