San Antonio principal cheered for school in DWI stop

Former Harris Middle School Principal Moises Ortiz stands in front of the school in 2006.

Former Harris Middle School Principal Moises Ortiz stands in front of the school in 2006. Photo: AMANDA REIMHERR, San Antonio Express-News Photo: AMANDA REIMHERR, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close San Antonio principal cheered for school in DWI stop 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — The Brackenridge High School principal charged with DWI last month told police that he was on his way back from a life-coaching session while slurring his words, laughing repeatedly and smelling strongly of alcohol, according to a police report released Monday.

An officer in a marked car was driving northbound on St. Mary's Street just after 11:30 p.m. Feb. 13, nearing the access road for U.S. 281 southbound, when he saw a 2010 Audi run a red light on the access road, according to the report.

The officer followed the car onto the highway and ran the license plate, discovering the registration had expired in May 2011, according to the report.

The officer turned on his lights to stop the car, and the car exited the highway, turning right onto Josephine Street before stopping in a parking lot, according to the report.

Moises Ortiz, 46, was the only one in the car, according to police. When the officer began to ask for Ortiz's insurance, he noticed Ortiz had bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils, according to the report.

The officer wrote he “could smell a strong odor of intoxicants” coming from Ortiz's car.

The officer asked Ortiz if there was any emergency and Ortiz said no, adding that he had just come back from an IPEC coaching session, according to the report. The officer asked Ortiz to repeat what he said, partially because he slurred the word “session,” according to the report.

Ortiz explained that it was life coaching “and started to slur other words and laugh,” according to the report.

The officer wrote that the left sleeve of Ortiz's white dress shirt had purple splotches that looked like spilled wine.

Ortiz told the officer he had moved two months ago, although he knew the state only gave him 30 days to change the address on his license, according to the report.

More Information



Brackenridge HS principal still on job after DWI report

Ortiz told the officer he was a high school principal and laughed, according to the report.

When asked which high school, Ortiz said, “Brackenridge, go Eagles, go fighting Eagles, I'm so sorry,” according to the report.

Ortiz told the officer he was coming from the Quarry area and that he did not know why he was being stopped, according to the report. When told his registration was expired and he had run a red light, he told police he had four more days to renew the registration after Boerne police talked to him about it at a decathlon.

The officer wrote he could smell intoxicants on Ortiz's breath each time he spoke.

When asked how much he had to drink, Ortiz said he had only drunk water and coffee, according to the report.

He told officers he had taken a diuretic and high blood pressure medication in the morning, that he had new contacts but they did not dilate his eyes, and that he had no problems with his head, back or legs, according to the report.

Ortiz did not keep balance during the walk and turn test, stopped while walking, failed to touch heels to toes and stepped off the line, according to the report. He also lost his balance during the one leg stand, according to the report.

When the officer told Ortiz he could smell intoxicants on him, Ortiz replied he had dry mouth because the officer was scaring him.

Another officer also claimed to smell intoxicants on Ortiz's breath.

While in the backseat of the car, Ortiz said, “the irony of this is I just went to sober somebody up,” adding, “You scared the hell out of me. My mouth has gone dry,” according to the report.

Ortiz was charged with driving while intoxicated, first offense. He refused a breath test but gave a blood sample and his driver's license was confiscated, according to the report.

The San Antonio Independent School District is still completing a personnel review into Ortiz's actions, spokeswoman Leslie Price said Monday.

Ortiz has been at Brackenridge since July 2011 and with the district for 16 years.