A former Vancouver mayor was arrested early Tuesday morning on suspicion of drunken driving.
Bruce E. Hagensen, 71, was arraigned on the gross misdemeanor in District Court on Wednesday.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in District Court, a Vancouver police officer was dispatched to the 1800 block of Broadway in Vancouver’s Arnada neighborhood for a report of an intoxicated man attempting to drive away in a silver Mitsubishi.
Dispatch advised that a witness saw the man, who was stumbling, get into his car. The witness said he then saw the man’s car roll backward and stop. The car was sticking partially into the road, the affidavit said. The witness took the man’s car keys away to ensure he wouldn’t drive away.
Upon arrival, the officer found the Mitsubishi sticking out in the road with a man, identified as Hagensen, holding onto the open driver’s door for balance, according to court documents. Hagensen admitted to driving his car, court documents said.
The officer reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol on Hagensen’s breath, and Hagensen was unwilling to listen to directions, the affidavit said. The officer wrote that Hagensen appeared to be “highly intoxicated.”
His blood-alcohol content was 0.182, according to court documents, while the state’s legal limit is 0.08 to drive.
During his hearing on Wednesday, Judge James Swanger said Hagensen does not qualify for a court-appointed attorney. Hagensen said he has two attorneys he’d like to consult with.
Swanger granted Hagensen’s release on his own recognizance.
His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 24.
Hagensen served as the city of Vancouver’s mayor from 1987 to 1995 after serving on the Vancouver City Council. He also was honored as a First Citizen in 1995. Hagensen is the former owner of the Vancouver Sign Company.
