A California Highway Patrol Lieutenant from Bakersfield has been arrested on charges of drunk driving. Lieutenant Deborah Pierce is assigned to the Bakersfield office.

She was arrested on misdemeanor DUI charges in Merced County on December 29th during the Highway Patrol's maximum enforcement period.

Highway Patrol officials tell Eyewitness News Pierce is a 17 year veteran of the department.

She was driving on Highway 99 when she was reportedly involved in a single vehicle accident, non injury accident. Officers arrested her on suspicion of driving under the influence.