Oregon Democrat Lawmaker Attributes DUI Arrest to PTSD, Alcohol Use
State Representative Paul Evans acknowledges actions and seeks inpatient treatment following a late-night incident involving a damaged stop sign.
Oregon State Representative Paul Evans has stated he has been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has used alcohol as a coping mechanism following his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. Evans, a 56-year-old Democrat and military veteran, was taken into custody on October 4 after police responded to a report of a hit-and-run.
According to Independence police and court records, officers allege Evans struck a stop sign at approximately 1:45 a.m. before leaving the scene. A witness reported hearing a crash and seeing a Jeep flee the intersection. Officers later located Evans' Jeep in a nearby parking lot, noting a mark on the front bumper consistent with damage to the stop sign.
When questioned, Evans stated he had consumed three drinks over eight hours, two of which were alcoholic. However, officers detected the smell of alcohol and observed signs of impairment, including slurred speech. A field sobriety test and subsequent breathalyzer indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.16%, which is twice Oregon's legal limit of 0.08%.
Evans was released on October 5 and has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, and failing to stop after causing property damage. He is scheduled to return to Polk County Circuit Court on October 28.
In a statement released through his chief of staff, Evans acknowledged responsibility for his actions. "I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply regret letting down my community that has depended on and trusted me to represent them for over a decade," he said. Evans, who served in the U.S. Air Force and Oregon Air National Guard with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, disclosed his ongoing struggles with PTSD. "Like many veterans, I’ve struggled with PTSD and used alcohol to cope," he stated. "This was a wake up call and I am seeking out in-patient treatment to get the help I need."
Evans is seeking his seventh consecutive term in the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 20, which includes Monmouth, Independence, and parts of Salem. His current term concludes after the November 2026 election.
His release agreement prohibits him from consuming alcohol or frequenting establishments that sell it. Court records indicate this is not Evans' first driving-related citation; he received one in 2016 for using a phone while driving.