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EVOCITY, ID - An Idaho state lawmaker was seen telling a sheriff's deputy he was suffering amnesia after he was pulled over for speeding. State Rep. Richard Wrangler () was stopped on August 12 at Grassy Fields, outside the Capitol. The deputy said in a report later that the driver exceeded the speed limit by as much as 27 mph but could not recall the incident mere moments after. 

A report obtained by EvoCity Newspaper shows that a Marion County Sheriff's deputy issued Wrangler a verbal warning. Wrangler was going 67 mph in a 40 mph zone on Nightingale Road. Along with him in the car was a woman that claimed to be his spouse.

According to an eyewitness, Wrangler first denied being the driver of the vehicle and the woman had to identify him as such before Wrangler told the deputy that he suffered from amnesia. The police report states that Wrangler 'claimed that they have very heavy amnesia' and 'claimed to not remember the incident'.

"My Deputies are here to uphold the law," said Captain Kruger of the Marion County Sheriff's Office, "we will do everything to ensure that the roads remain safe, uphold the law and ensure that the law is applied equally to everyone - that includes members of our state government."

Wrangler, a Liberal representing the 2nd District in Idaho's House of Representatives, was elected in 2018. He is up for election for another two-year term in November of next year.

Chairman of the Idaho Liberals, Senator Alexander Longcross (), when initially asked about the incident, said "I think you should prove it." 

Later, a party spokesperson issued a formal statement declaring: "We have been made aware of this and other actions by Representative Wrangler that could constitute misconduct, and are conducting an internal investigation. It would be unfair to comment further."

"Potentially lethal speeding isn't a joke. We will not stand with those who think it's acceptable or funny to risk the lives of others while behind the wheel of a lethal weapon," said State Senate President pro tempore Richard Pumpkin ().

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Published: 13 August, 2019
Submitted by: Pierre El Daher