Nixa Mayor Brian Hayes apologized late Wednesday for a "very poor decision" -- a move prompted when prosecutors charged Hayes with drunken driving.

Nixa police stopped Hayes, 42, around 1 a.m. Sunday on U.S. 160, just south of South Street.

Hayes was also ticketed for failing to have proof of insurance.

Christian County prosecutors formally charged Hayes on Wednesday. At the same time, Hayes released a statement addressed to "the citizens of Nixa."

Here's the statement, in its entirety:

"Early Sunday morning I was stopped by the Nixa police and ticketed by the Missouri Highway Patrol for driving while intoxicated. I am deeply sorry and regret the embarrassment and pain this has caused to the City of Nixa as well as my family and those close to me.

"I made a very poor decision to drive and put myself in this position. Due to my own poor decision I will be judged and scrutinized, all of which I deserve, but the City of Nixa does not.

"My biggest regret is the harm this will cause to the City of Nixa, a community I love and have served for almost ten years. I know that with all of the recent stories and pain that we have been through as a community, this could not have happened at a worse time.

"I want to comment the Nixa Police Department for handling a tough situation in a professional manner. They followed the proper procedure and protocol to ensure no partiality or preferential treatment was given to me or my position as mayor.

"What I regret and am sorry for the most is that this incident will shine a light on one man's poor decision and not the positive aspects of our community. At a time when we should be focused on keeping our economy alive, regaining our construction industry, promoting retail growth, and many other community issues, we will be focused on my poor decision.

"I pray that we will stay focused on the issues that matter to the citizens the most. My term as mayor will be over in April; the important issues that we need to deal with will be there much longer than that.

"My hope is that something positive will come from this. I hope that people will see what I am going through and think twice about making the decision to drive. If my mistake keeps one person from getting behind the wheel and hurting someone or themselves, then my embarrassment and pain will have been worth it."