State Representative Charged With DUI, Weapons Possession

A state representative who was arrested in Columbia early Thursday morning had a female USC student in his car and a pistol in his pocket when an officer took him into custody, according to a police report. 

Rep. Ted Vick, D-Chesterfield, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, unlawful carrying of a pistol and speeding. Vick is also one of the Democratic candidates running for South Carolina's new 7th Congressional seat. 

“I very much regret any embarrassment I’ve caused for my family, friends and supporters," Vick said in a statement. "My family comes first to me and I’m going to spend time with them and consult with my pastor. Politics will have to wait.”

The 21-year-old USC student told Columbia police officers she met Vick at Delaney's Pub in Five Points where they were drinking, according to the report. They left and continued drinking at Jake's Bar.

Vick offered the student a ride home when they were both leaving, according to the report.

An officer pulled Vick over around 1 a.m. near the 2500 block of Devine Street when a radar clocked Vick's car at 42 mph in a 30 mph zone, according to the report.

The officer smelled alcohol coming from the car, according to the report. Vick refused to take a field sobriety test multiple times, so the officer took him to the Columbia Police Department. He again refused a breathalyzer test. 

When officers transported Vick to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, they discovered a .38-caliber pistol in his pocket, according to the report. The concealed weapons permit in Vick's wallet had expired in 2007.  

A former candidate for South Carolina's 7th Congressional seat, . Viers withdrew from the race after the arrest.