Second Ward council member candidate arrested on suspicion of DWI

UPDATE 1:25 pm: Love responded to the incident by saying, “I’m a diabetic, normally I have chosen to control this with diet and exercise. Due to the demands of the campaign and work I have not been taking care of myself. What normally would be a private medical matter is now unfortunately news so I’ll try to give you the best explanation I was stopped by an officer that much is correct. I want to be clear the officer in question did exactly what he should do and was a complete professional. A citation was issued, High blood sugar can cause people to behave erratically and can often be mistaken. I explained I’m diabetic and was taken to the hospital. My blood sugar was 3-4 times what a normal person should be. I wasn’t arrested no bail was posted. I have retained the services of an attorney and am confident this will all be resolved but unfortunately it won’t be resolved before the election for which am profoundly sorry.”

UPDATE 12:15 pm: Columbia police said late on Monday night, an officer observed a vehicle stopped in the roadway on Providence Road. The car was in the turn lane and remained there through a sequence of lights.

Police said when they approached the car, they saw Love unconscious in the driver’s seat.

Officers tried to knock on the window, but Love did not respond. Love eventually woke up and looked like he was impaired.

Police said they conducted a Field Sobriety Test and a Preliminary Breath Test that yielded a BAC of .119.

Love was arrested for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and misdemeanor stopping/standing or parking prohibited.

ORIGINAL STORY: A candidate running for the Columbia Second Ward council member position has been arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired.

Police said Paul Love was stopped by police late Monday night.

The Columbia Police Officers Association released a statement on the matter on Wednesday. Executive Director Dale Roberts said, “We are aware that Paul Love was stopped and subsequently charged. We are also aware that Love is a Type 2 Diabetic and was having a diabetic episode at the time.”

The CPOA recently announced their support of Love in the race.

Love insisted on going to the hospital and the hospital was able to confirm his medical condition and he was admitted for treatment at the time.

Roberts said, “It is unfortunate that this probably won’t be resolved until after the election. Nevertheless, as we have said over and over again, ‘no one is above the law but everyone is innocent until proven guilty.’ It is up to the judicial system to resolve this matter and we will not change our position, our endorsement, based upon what appears to have been a medical episode.”

Love is running against Michael Trapp for the Second Ward council member position.

ABC 17 has reached out to the Columbia Municipal Court and the city prosecutor’s office but neither were able to provide formal charges.