Body Camera Video, 911 Audio Reveal New Details in Peoria Council Member DUI Arrest
Newly released police records provide fresh details about the arrest of Peoria City Council member Kiran Velpula on suspicion of DUI, including body camera video and 911 audio that paint a detailed picture of a Sept. 11 incident involving erratic driving, multiple property-damage reports, and a breath test reading of .285.
PEORIA, Ill. — Newly released police records are providing more details about the events leading up to the arrest of Peoria City Council member Kiran Velpula on suspicion of DUI earlier this month.
Investigators obtained body camera video, 911 audio, and police records through a Freedom of Information Act request related to a Sept. 11 incident, according to 25 News Now. The records show Velpula underwent field sobriety testing before a preliminary breath test registered a reading of .285.
Velpula repeatedly denied drinking alcohol and told an officer he had taken "a lot" of NyQuil earlier that morning.
According to 25 News, a 911 caller reported a black Ford truck driving erratically before ending up in a yard. Police later spoke with a witness who reportedly followed the truck for several miles. Records connect the investigation to multiple crashes or reports of property damage, including traffic signs, a mailbox, and another vehicle.
Body camera video also shows first responders telling police they found Velpula slumped behind the wheel of the truck, which was still running and in drive. First responders put the truck in park and woke Velpula before officers began questioning him.
The footage shows Velpula struggling to maintain his balance while officers conducted sobriety tests. Medics also evaluated him at the scene, and police records show a blood glucose reading of 287.
Velpula continued to deny drinking when questioned by officers and said he had taken NyQuil because he wanted to sleep. A preliminary breath test later registered .285, according to the records. He was then placed under arrest on suspicion of DUI.
Peoria Police previously said the DUI investigation was turned over to Illinois State Police after officers determined Velpula was a member of the Peoria City Council. State Police filed a DUI case against him Sept. 17.
Velpula also faces three separate traffic cases stemming from Sept. 11, including allegations of leaving the scene, failing to provide information or report property damage, and improper lane usage. The newly released records indicate the incidents were connected to the same alleged sequence of driving.
Velpula previously declined to comment on the pending cases. His DUI case is scheduled for court Oct. 16, while the other traffic cases are scheduled for Oct. 30.
The charges remain pending, and Velpula is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.