Nevada's public health leadership has been thrown into turmoil after the state's Division of Public and Behavioral Health director, Candice McDaniel, was charged with driving under the influence following a concerning wrong-way driving incident.
The alleged event occurred in the early hours of Monday morning in Carson City, where authorities reported a vehicle travelling against traffic flow on North Carson Street. Police documentation reveals McDaniel was behind the wheel when officers intercepted the vehicle around 1:30 am.
Concerning Details Emerge
Court records indicate that McDaniel faces serious charges including DUI and wrong-way driving on a divided highway. The criminal complaint further details that her blood alcohol content registered at 0.15 - nearly double Nevada's legal limit of 0.08.
This development comes at a critical time for Nevada's health department, which continues to navigate complex public health challenges across the state.
Official Response and Next Steps
In a brief statement, a spokesperson for the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services acknowledged awareness of the situation, stating they are "gathering additional information" about the incident involving their senior official.
McDaniel, who has led the division since 2021 following extensive service within the department, now faces legal proceedings scheduled for December 2nd in Carson City Justice Court.
The case has sparked immediate questions about accountability within state leadership and the consequences for senior officials facing serious criminal charges.
