North Carolina senator arrested and charged with driving while impaired, court docs reveal

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A North Carolina senator has been charged with driving while impaired, according to court documents.

Sen. Norman Sanderson, 74, of Arapahoe, was arrested Saturday near Edwards Mills Road in Raleigh. He also faces charges of failure to obey a traffic officer and transporting an open container of alcohol.

Court records state his breath test was 0.16.

"Last night I made a regrettable mistake, and I take responsibility for my actions," Sanderson told ABC11. "I want to apologize to my constituents, my colleagues, and my family for letting them down. I commend the State Highway Patrol and the Wake County Sheriff's Office for their professionalism during the incident."

Sanderson posted a $2,000 bond. He is expected to appear in court on Nov. 7 in Wake County.

Sanderson, a Republican, represents Carteret, Chowan, Halifax, Hyde, Martin, Pamlico, Warren, and Washington counties.