Deputy Charged with DUI Following Vehicle Crash in Jefferson County, Alabama

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL. – According to news reports published online by wbrc.com and al.com, a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy has been charged with driving under the influence following a vehicle crash that occurred in the county. The news report from al.com indicates that the deputy left the scene following the accident.*

The accident occurred on Interstate 20 in Jefferson County. At approximately 8:20 p.m. that day, authorities were called to the scene of a rollover crash involving a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle near the exit to Interstate 459 from I-20 East. It does not appear that any other vehicles were involved in the crash.

When authorities arrived, they could not find the deputy who had been driving the wrecked patrol vehicle. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported that preliminary investigation indicated the deputy had been traveling east, with his emergency lights on at a high rate, of speed when he crossed into the median of I-20 and hit a guardrail. His vehicle then rolled. 

ALEA Cpl. Steve Smith reported that the deputy was off duty and on family leave at the time of the accident. The deputy, identified as a 25-year-old man, was located by officers about 30 minutes after the accident. Officers developed reason to believe he was intoxicated. 

Both news reports state that on May 13, the deputy was arrested and booked into the Jefferson County Jail on charges of driving under the influence. He was released a few hours later on bond. The sheriff’s office stated that he would remain on leave while the case was pending. 

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Source:https://www.wbrc.com/2019/05/14/jeffco-deputy-charged-with-dui-after-rollover-crash-i-/ and https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2019/05/jeffco-deputy-involved-in-i-20-rollover-crash-in-patrol-cruiser-charged-with-dui.html