Kaduk issues statement in wake of DUI arrest
A Cape Coral council member charged with driving under the influence in the early morning hours on Wednesday has issued a statement regarding the incident.
District 7 City Councilmember Rachel Kaduk provided the following statement Wednesday afternoon.
“I want to address the incident that occurred early this morning in which I was arrested and charged with DUI. I fully understand the seriousness of this matter and the disappointment that many may feel.
“I am truly sorry for the concern this has caused our community, my colleagues on the City Council, and our city staff. Serving the people of Cape Coral is an honor, and I take that responsibility very seriously.
“I intend to cooperate fully with the legal process as this matter moves forward. Out of respect for that process, I cannot comment further on any specifics at this time.
“I sincerely apologize for the distraction this creates for our city and the important work before us. I understand that trust between the public and their elected officials must be earned, and I am committed to working to restore that trust through my actions.”
Kaduk, 36, was arrested by Cape Coral Police Department officers around midnight according to Lee County Sheriff arrest logs. She was charged with DUI and refusal to submit to DUI testing.
She was booked just after 1:30 a.m., and released on a $1,000 bond just before 8 a.m.
According to CCPD’s arrest report, a “concerned citizen” called police to report a reckless driver, with the caller stating the vehicle was failing to maintain a single lane and almost sideswiped another car.
The officer reported seeing the driver, later identified as Kaduk, “weaving within (the) lane and driving over the lane markers on both sides of the inside lane.” It was also noted the driver made a left turn “too sharply” on Northeast 24th Avenue.
The report states the officer who made the traffic stop observed Kaduk having “watery and glassy” eyes, with a “moderate odor of an alcoholic beverage” on her breath, and that her speech was “slurred.”
The report states Kaduk had difficulty exiting her car and “exhibited an uneven gait while walking to the rear of her vehicle.”
She took part in two field sobriety exercises then declined to take a third, according to the report.
When brought to the Cape Coral Police Department, Kaduk did not provide a breath sample following two requests, stating she needed to use the restroom following each request.
She was then transported to Lee County Jail where she agreed to take the test. A sample was not collected “given the time that has lapsed since her arrest” and that the locations was outside the jurisdiction of the officer, the report states.
Kaduk previously was arrested for DUI in 2013, according to court records. The charge was reduced to reckless driving.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include information from the CCPD’s arrest report.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com