From Toledo Blade
An off-duty Toledo firefighter involved in an alcohol-related, hit-skip  collision in West Toledo seven months ago admitted guilt Wednesday in Toledo  Municipal Court.

Paul Heiss, 31, of 2354 Charleston Ave. pleaded guilty to driving while  intoxicated, one of six charges he faced in the Dec. 30 crash involving two  other vehicles on West Sylvania Avenue near Douglas Road.

Judge Michelle Wagner imposed a 17-day jail sentence, but suspended all but  three days, which she ordered to be served in a drunken-driving remediation  program.

Additional offenses…..MORE

From Press Telegram

Long Beach, Ca., — 2013-08-16 — An emergency medical technician who allegedly was drunk and blacked out when he crashed his car into a tow-truck driver on the 405 Freeway in December is facing second-degree murder charges in a prosecution several legal experts say is very aggressive.

Faapuna Manu, 27, of Long Beach, was fatally struck about 2 a.m. Dec. 9 on the right shoulder near the Cherry Avenue on-ramp to the southbound 405 Freeway.

Raymond Burley, 26, of Los Angeles, who was driving a 2005 Toyota, swerved onto the right shoulder and struck Manu, who was standing at his tow truck inflating a spare tire. Burley also sideswiped a 2005 Mercedes-Benz that was parked on the shoulder with a flat tire.

In July, at the Long Beach Superior Courthouse, Burley was charged with one count of what is called a “Watson murder.” It refers to a precedent-setting 1981 California Supreme Court case, The People v. Watson, that set the stage for reckless drivers, including drunk drivers, who cause a fatal collision to be convicted of second-degree murder.

In People v. Watson, the court ruled that once someone has been convicted of a DUI, the person essentially acknowledges the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol ….MORE

Fire Chief and Vice Mayor Tim Rayburn…is still on the ballot in November….

From Citizen-Times

ASHVILLE, NC, — 2013-09-04 —Black Mountain Vice Mayor and Alderman Tim Rayburn has resigned after police say he was drunk and driving a public vehicle at nearly four times the legal blood-alcohol limit.

The Black Mountain Board of Aldermen held a special called meeting Tuesday, where they heard Rayburn’s official resignation letter and discussed a replacement. Rayburn is also chief of the Enka Candler Fire Department and former Black Mountain Fire Chief.

“It is with great sadness that I resign from my position as alderman for the Town of Black Mountain due to medical and personal….MORE

Firefighter Brett Pierce / Brunswick Sheriff’s Office

From WWAY

WILMINGTON, NC— 2013-11-16– A New Hanover County firefighter has been charged with DWI in Brunswick County.

A Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said Brett Pierce was charged Saturday.

New Hanover County spokesman Charles Smith says the county has been made aware of the incident. Pierce has not been suspended, but ….MORE

RECENT ARRESTS FOR DWI BOOKED INTO NEW HANOVER COUNTY SHERIFF ED MCMAHON’S JAIL

RAFIG ABDUL SKAF, Occupation:  CAR DEALER, Residence: GLENDORA, DOB: 1973-11-05, Hair/Eye Color:  BLK/BRO, Gender:  M Arrest Date:  11/11/2013 12:54 AM, Location:  600 S GRAND AVE Booking Date:  11/11/2013 1:17 AM, Bail:  5000 Release Date:  11/11/2013 6:30 AM, Charges:  23152(A) (DUI ALCOHOLDRUGS) 23152(B) (DUI ALCOHOL0.08 PERCENT) Reason:  CITE

AARON OLIVER COLEMAN, Occupation:  MAINTENANCE WORKER, Residence: ALTADENA, DOB: 1990-04-25, Hair/Eye Color:  BLK/BLK, Gender:  M Arrest Date:  11/07/2013 11:23 PM, Location:  VERMONT AND ROUTE 66 Booking Date:  11/07/2013 11:32 PM, Bail:  5000 Release Date:  11/08/2013 5:20 AM, Charges:  23152(A) (DUI ALCOHOLDRUGS) 23152(B) (DUI ALCOHOL0.08 PERCENT) 14601.1(A) (DRIVELIC SUSPENDEDETC, Reason:  CITE

TYLER ANTHONY ARMENTA, Occupation:  BARTENDER, Residence: ONTARIO, DOB: 1986-08-13, Hair/Eye Color:  BRO/BRO, Gender:  M Arrest Date:  11/08/2013 3:39 AM, Location:  915 E ROUTE 66 Booking Date:  11/08/2013 3:56 AM, Bail:  5000 Release Date:  11/08/2013 8:35 AM, Charges:  23152(A) (DUI ALCOHOLDRUGS) 23152(B) (DUI ALCOHOL0.08 PERCENT) 12500(A) (DRIVE WO LICENSE) Reason:  CITE

State Rep. Scott Kelsh…a booking photo you won’t see on his campaign flyers…

From Grand Forks Herald

FARGO – North Dakota state Rep. Scot Kelsh, D-Fargo, was arrested Monday night by the North Dakota State Highway Patrol on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Kelsh, 51, was arrested about 11:30 p.m. on Interstate 29 in Fargo and booked into the Cass County Jail, said patrol Capt. Bryan Niewind.

Niewind said the Class B misdemeanor driving under the influence charge filed in Cass County District Court against Kelsh is for a first-time offense.

Kelsh, who has been in the state Legislature since 1996, voted in favor of more stringent DUI laws in the legislative session this year.

He is a firefighter with the Fargo Fire Department.

Fire Chief Steve Dirksen said the department is handling the ….MORE

From Post & Courier

2013-12-12 — Goose Creek police have arrested a Joint Base Charleston firefighter accused of driving drunk and striking a 14-year-old girl with his vehicle.

Robert Semashko, 50, of Ricky Court, is charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury, and hit-and-run, officials with the Berkeley County jail reported. His wife, Donna Semashko, 53, received an obstructing justice charge in connection with the incident, jail records show.

According to an incident report, police officers were called to Camelot Drive around 6 p.m. Sunday. A 14-year-old girl was lying in a ditch, and she was crying and appeared to be in extreme pain, police said. Witnesses placed several pieces of clothing on the girl to keep her warm.

One of the witnesses told police that she was walking along the road with the girl when a Dodge vehicle suddenly approached. The witness attempted to pull the girl out of the Dodge’s path, but she was unable to, the report states.

The vehicle slowed down after striking the girl, then sped up again, police said. Witnesses chased after the vehicle and watched as it turned onto Ricky Court, according to the report.

Investigators found the vehicle parked nearby in a driveway. The home’s front door was open. Officers approached the home and found Semashko and his wife. Both appeared disoriented and smelled of alcohol, police said.

Officers asked the couple who …MORE

From Fox 5 Washington

WASHINGTON - 2014-01-08 — Two D.C. firefighters were arrested within 24 hours for traffic incidents. The arrests are yet another blow to a department already under intense scrutiny.

D.C. fire officials are not commenting about either arrest except to say both firefighters are on administrative leave.

One of the men was arrested around 4 a.m. Wednesday while on duty and driving a city ambulance — Medic 33.

Sources told FOX 5 firefighter James Bunn is no stranger to the court system. He had been arrested along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Southeast D.C. 15 months ago in his personal car after driving through a red light in front of Saint Elizabeth’s. Bunn was charged with DUI.

Just before dawn Wednesday morning, the same arresting officer from D.C. police couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Bunn behind the wheel of an ambulance at United Medical Center in Southeast.

After stopping the ambulance, the officer’s hunch was confirmed: Bunn was driving on a suspended license from that earlier DUI case and he was placed under arrest.

We stopped by Bunn’s home in Southeast D.C. Wednesday afternoon, but nobody was home.

The second D.C. firefighter arrested in the past 24 hours was 37-year-old Kevin Pringle. He was picked up along Minnesota Avenue for allegedly driving a car reported stolen out of Anne Arundel County in Maryland. Pringle was wanted for allegedly failing to return a 2013 Dodge Avenger that was rented from Budget back in October.

But the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District says it has decided not to pursue charges against Pringle, citing insufficient evidence.

Still, it’s been a tough time for the District’s Fire and EMS department. Seven of its employees have been arrested since last summer.

Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe has been under fire for allowing the city’s fleet of fire trucks and ambulances to fall into what one elected official calls “a critical state.”

BRADENTON  2014-01-23 – A Bradenton Fire Department firefighter has resigned, three days after he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and refusing to submit to a DUI test.

In a statement released Tuesday, Fire Chief Chuck Edwards wrote, “On Jan. 17, the Bradenton Fire Department accepted the resignation of firefighter Brian Knuckles, effective immediately.”

At 11:13 p.m. Jan. 14, Knuckles was stopped in a truck for running a steady red light at 900 39th St. W., according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report.

The deputy who stopped Knuckles reported he immediately noticed signs of impairment, including a strong odor of an alcohol beverage.

Knuckles, 44, reportedly had watery, glassy bloodshot eyes and slow, slurred speech.

Knuckles agreed to take a … Read more here: 

From Athens Banner Herald

2014-03-06  — An Athens-Clarke County firefighter was arrested for DUI Tuesday night after he was found passed out at the wheel of a pickup truck that was blocking the exit of Golden Pantry, 3495 Atlanta Highway, Athens-Clarke County police said.

When an officer roused 30-year-old James Clayton Adams by shaking him in the still-running pickup, the man said he was waiting for a friend who was in the convenience store’s parking lot, according to police.

Upon being asked how much he had to drink, police said Adams responded, “I shouldn’t of drank this much. I am impaired to the public.”

Asked for his driver’s license, Adams handed the officer ….MORE

From WTAW
College Station Police following a pickup parked at a vacant hotel arrested the driver for DWI.

44 year old Shane Reilly of Seabrook, who told police he was in town for fire school, has five prior drunk driving convictions.

During the midnight hour on Thursday two officers were on foot patrol at the former Aggieland Inn, securing the area noted for thefts of copper and other metals and a hangout for the homeless ….MORE

From KDVR
LOVELAND, Colo. — A Loveland fire chief has submitted a request to retire after receiving a drinking charge while on the job this week.
According to the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, chief Merlin Green was given a citation for driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI),
after he arrived to fight a fire on….MORE

From Wheeling News-Register
WHEELING – Fire Department Chief Larry Helms and City Manager Robert Herron are expected to make a decision regarding the
employment status of city firefighter, Lt. Paul McIntire, who was charged with DUI after his car struck a pole on Sunday morning.
Ohio County Magistrate Patty Murphy on Sunday arraigned McIntire, 45, of Wheeling, on a single count of DUI. He was released from the Northern Regional Jail in Moundsville after posting $500 bond.
Helms had not yet addressed McIntire’s arrest at press time, but said he expects to consult with Herron ….MORE

From SILive.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An off-duty city Fire Department emergency medical technician and a TSA agent were among three suspects arrested on drunken-driving charges in unrelated incidents around the Island on Thursday and Friday.

The first incident occurred about 5:15 a.m. Thursday on Richmond and Independence avenues, New Springville.

Rocco Fanelli, 22, of Ashton Drive, Arden Heights, struck a fire hydrant with his 2007 Pontiac, said court papers.

He appeared to be intoxicated and when questioned by cops, Fanelli said he had been playing beer pong at a party, said court papers.

“I don’t know how many beers I had — seven, eight, nine, 10, 11?” court documents quote him as telling police.

Tests showed his blood alcohol content was .159 percent — almost twice the legal threshold of .08 percent, said court papers.

Fanelli is a Transportation Security Administration agent assigned to Kennedy International Airport in Queens, said a law enforcement source.

The other arrests took place on Friday.

Hector Soto, an off-duty EMT, banged ….MORE

When the guy driving the fire-truck coming to save your life is actually driving drunk…he just might kill you instead of saving you…

From San Francisco Appeal

An on-duty San Francisco firefighter who was arrested on suspicion of DUI and leaving the scene of a crash that involved a fire truck late Saturday night had no prior disciplinary record, fire officials said today.

Michael Quinn, 43, was arrested following the collision, in which the fire truck he was driving struck a motorcycle around 11:30 p.m. Saturday at Fifth and Howard streets in the city’s South of Market neighborhood, police said.

The fire truck was responding to an emergency call with its lights and siren on when it struck the motorcyclist, who was seriously injured but is expected to survive, police said.

Quinn was later arrested after apparently leaving the scene of the crash, according to police.

Fire department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said Quinn is a 23-year veteran of the department.

Quinn has no prior disciplinary record and, in fact, has two merit awards for his actions as a firefighter, said Tom O’Connor, president of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, the union representing the city’s firefighters.

“He’s never been in trouble his whole career,” O’Connor said.

“It’s very uncharacteristic.”….MORE

NOTICE TO OUR READERS: The public has a right to expect that a firefighter who is supposed to save you from a burning building is not on our highways driving drunk and that police officers who protect us from the actions of impaired drivers are also not driving impaired…or robbing banks…therefore, it is with great sadness to provide this story today…

From Denton Record-Chronicle

Two public servants are on paid leave after each was charged with driving while intoxicated in separate incidents, officials said.

Fort Worth police Sgt. Kelly Peel said Andrew DeBerry was arrested at 2:55 a.m. Saturday on FM156 on a DWI charge.

Officer Ryan Grelle, a Denton police spokesman, said DeBerry has been a police officer with the department for 15 years.

A day earlier, Denton police were arresting a Denton firefighter on the same charge.

Brandon Galbraith was charged….MORE

Ocean City fire chief says Neall lost his home in storm so folks should understand why he is out on the highways driving while impaired…

From Ocean City Patch
An Ocean City Fire Department captain faces drunken driving and drug possession charges after police stopped his pickup truck at a DWI checkpoint July 6 in Linwood.

Jackson Neall III, 35, of Ocean City, is charged with possessing under 50 grams of marijuana, possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and driving under the influence, according to an arrest report from the Linwood Police Department. ….MORE

From WJLA
WASHINGTON (2014-04-09) – Veteran DC Fire and EMS firefighter-technician Jason Siegel worked out of Engine 13 in Southwest Washington. One aspect of his job was driving the fire truck that waits on White House grounds when the president comes and goes via Marine One.  if there’s an emergency, those firefighters can quickly respond. Now Siegel is on leave after a DUI arrest.
According to police, the 40 year old lost control of his SUV early Sunday morning and crashed into a pole at the intersection of New Jersey Avenue and O Street Northwest.
According to the crash report, Siegel told police: “A person he knows as Andrew was operating the vehicle at the time of the accident, and fled the scene on foot.”
He added, “Officer, I’m not trying to get a DWI arrest, take me to the firehouse and let me sleep it off, and I’ll come back later and deal with this.”
Later, when asked about the incident he stated: “I was driving southbound when I lost control.”
This is not the first time Siegel has been arrested. According to online court records, Siegel was picked up in Maryland for DUI in 2007, in 2012 and 2013 for driving with a suspended license. And now in the district for DUI.
A good deal of debris remains at the scene of Sunday’s crash.  According to the report, Siegel was not injured and refused to take a breathalyzer test.
There have been so many firefighters arrested – well over a dozen since the fall – that the department issued a special order back in January calling on all members to report any arrests or driving revocations in the last three years.
A department spokesperson says Jason Siegel did NOT self report and could face disciplinary action for not doing so.
See VIDEO from ABC 7 reporter Jay Korff

Darien firefighter John Dowling, who normally risks his own life to save the lives of others, is now charged with being a rolling death machine when DUI.

From Stamford Advocate

DARIEN — John J. Dowling, 43, of 100 Hope St., Stamford, a volunteer Darien firefighter, was arrested Aug. 11 on charges of operating under the influence and failure to obey a stop sign.

An officer on patrol saw Dowling, who was driving a 2013 Jeep Wrangler, travel through a stop sign on Ledge Road at the entrance ramp to Interstate 95 south around 1 a.m., according to the report.

Dowling appeared confused when he was pulled over and smelled of alcohol, according to the report. He told police he was coming from a picnic.

Dowling also told police that he was from Darien and that he has “been running that stop sign for over 20 years,” according to the report. …MORE

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The United States Coast Guard is in the news around the clock and around the nation for its heroic acts at saving lives…they show courage, gumption and determination in facing dangers which would cower the ordinary citizen, all to save the lives of strangers….it is a sad day to report on two Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers charged with DUI, one of whom was arrested as he was on his way to work.

From KPIX 5

SAN FRANCISCO (08/31/2014) — Two Bay Area Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers are facing charges of driving under the influence. Authorities said one of the incidents involved an officer in full uniform heading to work.

Chief Petty Officer Michael Padgett was reporting for duty, when the California Highway Patrol stopped him one mile from the Coast Guard gate at Yerba Buena Island.

In his report, the officer said he smelled a strong odor of alcohol. “And I noticed his eyes were red and watery and his speech was slurred,” the officer said. “As Padgett walked, I noticed he had an unsteady gait.”

Authorities said Padgett had a blood alcohol level of 0.18 on a breath test, more than twice the legal limit.

Padgett, a command duty officer, is responsible for dispatching boats and aircraft, coordinating law enforcement, along with search and rescue operations.

In a statement, the Coast Guard said it has a strict policy on alcohol abuse. “Chief Padgett was temporarily removed from his duties as soon as the Coast Guard was made aware of this incident,” the statement read.

“I’m working, and I’m going through the criminal process and everything,” Padgett told KPIX 5.

Five days before Padgett was arrested, another Coast Guard was also arrested for driving drunk.

According to a Brentwood police report obtained by KPIX 5, Chief Petty Officer Warren Weatherford admitted he had been drinking. He measured 0.14 on the breath test.

Weatherford remains on duty managing the team responsible for navigation safety of every commercial vessel moving in the San Francisco Bay region. That includes making sure ships don’t collide with the Bay Bridge.

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