By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
GALVESTON, Texas — Galveston City Council Member Jason Hardcastle was arrested Friday night following a two-vehicle crash on Seawall Boulevard, according to an October 31, 2026, Galveston Police Department press release.
Police responded to the 6800 block of Seawall Boulevard around 8:15 p.m. Friday, October 30. No injuries were reported.
According to police, an officer observed signs of possible intoxication involving Hardcastle. Following an investigation, officers arrested him on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, first offense, a Class B misdemeanor.
Police said Hardcastle refused to provide a breath sample. Officers then obtained a search warrant for a blood specimen.
While officers executed the warrant at a local hospital, Hardcastle allegedly physically resisted their efforts.
Police subsequently charged him with resisting arrest, search or transportation, a Class A misdemeanor.
Hardcastle was booked into the Galveston County Jail on two charges:
Driving while intoxicated, first offense — $1,000 bond.
Resisting arrest, search or transportation — $1,500 bond.
Total bond: $2,500.
The arrest comes months after two separate civil lawsuits named Hardcastle in his official capacity as chairman of the Galveston Park Board of Trustees.
Those lawsuits are unrelated to the criminal allegations.
Police records requested following Hardcastle arrest
ChopperRose.com obtained Hardcastle’s booking photograph from the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.
The Galveston Police Department also provided an official press release confirming his arrest and the two charges.
ChopperRose.com has requested additional records, including the arrest report, probable cause affidavit, crash report, search warrant and available body-camera footage.
Those records could provide more details about the investigation.
Galveston police confirmed Saturday that Hardcastle was no longer in the county jail.
Hardcastle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Galveston sued Park Board over open meetings
In May 2025, the City of Galveston and City Manager Brian Maxwell sued the Galveston Park Board of Trustees and Hardcastle in his official capacity as board chairman.
The lawsuit alleged violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act during meetings on May 12 and May 22, 2025.
City officials challenged actions involving employee matters and negotiations.
In June 2025, a judge granted an injunction that restricted certain actions from those meetings.
However, the lawsuit did not end with a finding of liability.
Court records show the parties later agreed to dismiss all claims with prejudice.
Judge Jared Robinson signed the final dismissal order on March 19, 2026.
The agreement stated that neither side admitted fault. Neither side paid money to resolve the dispute.
Case number: 25-CV-0913, Galveston County’s 405th District Court.
Former Beach Patrol chief filed federal lawsuit
A second lawsuit followed the dismissal of longtime Galveston Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis.
Davis filed his federal lawsuit in August 2025.
He named the Galveston Park Board, Hardcastle and interim CEO Marty Miles. The lawsuit named Hardcastle and Miles in their official capacities.
Davis challenged his termination after more than four decades with the Beach Patrol.
His lawsuit alleged that the board mishandled his dismissal and denied him certain employment protections.
The Park Board defended its decision. Officials cited concerns about Davis’ judgment and leadership.
The federal case carried the number 3:25-CV-00254 in the Southern District of Texas.
A September 2026 Park Board agenda listed the lawsuit for discussion, including a possible settlement.
That agenda does not establish whether the parties reached an agreement. The latest court disposition still requires confirmation.
Separate legal matters
The lawsuits involved Hardcastle’s official duties with the Park Board. Neither case involved allegations of impaired driving.
The October 30 arrest represents a separate criminal matter.
ChopperRose.com continues to seek police records and additional information about the arrest.
This story will be updated as verified information becomes available.
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