Top LA County Sheriff's Official Arrested For Drunk Driving

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A top Los Angeles County sheriff's official was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after being found stopped in the middle of the Foothill Freeway, passed out with her head on the steering wheel of her county car, according to reports.

Sheriff's civilian Director Natalie Salazar, 55, was found Friday allegedly intoxicated, with her foot on the brake pedal and her car in drive after several 911 calls to the California Highway Patrol about a car stopped in a middle lane, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A test after her arrested showed a blood alcohol level of 0.20, more than twice the legal limit, according to CHP Officer Ming Hsu.

According to jail records, Salazar posted $15,000 bail less than four hours after her arrest.

Salazar is head of the sheriff's Community/Law enforcement Partnership Program.

Salazar was convicted of driving under the influence as recently as 2009, Hsu told the Times, and was placed on probation. Salazar was allowed to keep her post at the Sheriff's Department, although she reportedly sent out a memo within the department, apologizing.

Salazar has been put on leave.