Bartholomew County Assistant Fire Chief Arrested for OWI After Crashing Fire Truck
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. — Bartholomew County sheriff’s deputies arrested an assistant fire chief from the Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department on Sunday night following a crash involving a fire department vehicle. The assistant chief was allegedly driving under the influence.
Deputies responded to the scene of the crash, which occurred in the 12000 block of Legal Tender Road, near State Road 7, around 8:30 p.m. on March 9. The fire truck, responding to a possible house fire, was found on its side in a residential driveway.
Witnesses reported that the fire truck had its lights and sirens activated prior to leaving the roadway and crashing. Emergency crews had to extract the driver from the vehicle. During their investigation, officers found evidence suggesting alcohol impairment.
The driver of the fire truck was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for a blood draw. Following the investigation, deputies arrested the assistant fire chief on a preliminary charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). The individual has since been released after posting a $2,500 bond.
The case is now under review by the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office to determine if formal charges will be filed.
