Tacoma councilman arrested for DUI

BY MyNorthwest.com  on January 21, 2013 @ 6:33 am (Updated: 6:35 am - 1/21/13 )

A Tacoma City Councilman was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Saturday night but the Washington State Patrol said he didn't try to use his political position to get him out of the situation.

Councilman Ryan Mello smelled like alcohol when he was pulled over, driving a car full of passengers, according to WSP trooper Guy Gill.

The trooper asked Mello to step out of his car and ran him through field sobriety tests. The trooper determined that he was impaired and put him under arrest for driving under the influence.

Gill said Mello's blood alcohol content reading was over 0.08. "He was polite and cooperative. During the entire time he did not identify himself as a councilman. He was treated no different than anyone else."

He was processed for the DUI and charges will be filed through the Pierce County attorney's office.

KIRO Radio's Frank Shiers contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • Country_Dog wrote...
    Does Ryan Mello have a party affiliation?
    January 21, 2013 6:51 am
    Just wondering because this news report does not mention it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Clearwater3 wrote...
    What does party affiliation have to do with it?
    January 21, 2013 7:51 am
    Is it relevant to the story? Is it because if he represents the party that you oppose it will provide yet more proof that the other guys are unworthy of support, or do you believe that his affiliation is unreported to protect the party? Looking at his endorsements and history, I would say he's a Demoncrat - does that satisfy you? Do you belive if he was a Republican his party affiliation would have been stated in the headline?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cybermatrix24 wrote...
    @ Country_Dog
    January 21, 2013 7:55 am
    Why do you, along with many other people who post on MYNW.com, insist on bring politics into the story. Yes, granted the story is about a politician, but what does his party affiliation have to do with the story.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mike69 wrote...
    Party
    January 21, 2013 10:24 am
    City Council is a non partisan position. Mr. Mello is independent.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Clearwater3 wrote...
    January 21, 2013 8:21 am
    Yes, if he was a republican it would have been stated in the headline and in the first sentence of the article. If he is a democrat it wouldn't have been mentioned until about the midpoint of the article if at all. Do you not read? This guy ran under no party (NP). Frank Shiers seems pretty fair to me generally speaking however.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    That goes for you too Cybermatrix24.
    January 21, 2013 8:27 am
    What's wrong, you don't like it when left-wing bias by your media is pointed out? Lighten up...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    Did they put the handcuffs on him and place him the back seat of the patrol car.
    January 21, 2013 9:31 am
    That I would like to know.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    City Council is a non partisan position -
    January 21, 2013 11:35 am
    not true.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Colin Mc wrote...
    RE: CH
    January 21, 2013 2:54 pm
    Actually, CH, that is entirely true, seeing as a "non-partisan position" means that the candidates and electeds aren't party affiliated. Whether Ryan does or doesn't identify with the Ds or the Rs is irrelevent, because his position on the council doesn't allow for party registration. No doubt, Ryan is a bit more left leaning, but it doesn't make city council a partisan position.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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