- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
San Antonio Councilwoman Avoids DWI Charge Despite Extreme Intoxication
Ivalis Meza Gonzalez pleaded no contest to obstruction of a highway after her blood alcohol level was found to be more than twice the legal limit.
Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:31pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
District 8 Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez's blood alcohol concentration was 0.169 grams per 100 milliliters of blood when she was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in July, well above the 0.08 legal limit in Texas. However, she was able to plead no contest to the lesser charge of obstruction of a highway, a Class B misdemeanor, and avoid a DWI conviction.
Why it matters
This case highlights concerns about potential preferential treatment for elected officials accused of drunk driving, as well as the broader debate around plea bargaining and sentencing for DWI offenses in Texas.
The details
Meza Gonzalez was arrested on July 24 on Interstate 10 West near Hildebrand Avenue. Driving with a BAC of 0.15 or higher is considered 'extreme intoxication' and is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, a $4,000 fine, and a two-year license suspension. However, Meza Gonzalez was able to plead no contest to the lesser obstruction of a highway charge, which is typically reserved for first-time offenders or those with lower BAC levels.
- Meza Gonzalez was arrested on July 24, 2026.
- Test results showing her BAC was 0.169 were released on January 27, 2026.
The players
Ivalis Meza Gonzalez
A first-term District 8 councilwoman in San Antonio who was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Alfredo Ximenez
The judge in Bexar County Court 4 who accepted Meza Gonzalez's plea deal.
Joe Gonzales
The Bexar County District Attorney who recused himself from Meza Gonzalez's case due to a longtime acquaintance with her father.
Jonathan Fischer
The assistant Atascosa County Attorney who managed Meza Gonzalez's case after Gonzales recused himself.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
