Mayor picks up his daughter | Carolyn Campbell's 11 News report

Houston Mayor Bill White is defending his teenage daughter who was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated early Tuesday morning.

KHOU-TV

Elena White

Elena White, 17, was pulled over in the 9800 block of Memorial Drive around 11 p.m. Monday.

Precinct 5 officials said she was spotted because she was weaving and driving without her headlights.

She was in her father's car, a hybrid Toyota Prius.

"Upon approaching the vehicle, thought he smelled alcohol coming from the driver," said Chief Leroy Michna with Precinct 5. "Did a field sobriety test and determined in his mind the driver was legally intoxicated to the point of not being able to drive."

Authorities say the teen was arrested after refusing to take a breathalyzer test.

“I think there was a mistake, based on what she’s told me,” Bill White said Tuesday. “And she’s always shot straight with me.”

White said his daughter told him on Tuesday she was “not intoxicated and was not dangerous” as she drove. White said he would examine evidence.

“She’s not a party animal,” White said. “You can tell by her grades, you can tell what she does when she’s not in school.”

“We’re a family that believes if somebody does something, they ought to take responsibility for their actions,” White said.  “Based on what I have heard, I think it may have been a mistake.”

White and his wife, Andrea, picked up their daughter Tuesday morning after she posted a $5,000 bond.

"Well I've learned a lot, and I'm really glad to see my parents," Elena said.

"She's a hard-working kid; she'll have a day in court," Mayor White said. But if there was a mistake by the officer, then you know, we'll have to look at that. But for the time being, everybody's been very professional. It's great that justice is impartial."

Precinct 5 officials said the officer had no idea who he was arresting and that Elena never said who she was.

Elena White is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 8.

Elena spent her summer as a volunteer, teaching math in a summer program for seventh-graders. Mayor White said Tuesday she was about to start a training program for running nonprofits.

Mayor White has three teenage children.