Friday, January 21, 2000
Off-duty firemen charged
2 accused of fleeing wreck scene
BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON — Two Deerfield Township firefighters face charges of obstructing justice — and possibly more — after leaving the scene of a car crash on Mason-Montgomery Road.
Christian Elliott, 24, and Christopher Ellis, 23, part-time volunteers with Deerfield Township Fire Rescue, were arrested by Mason police earlier this week after allegedly smashing a pickup into a utility pole in front of United Dairy Farmers on Mason-Montgomery Road, then fleeing the scene. Authorities believe the firemen, both off-duty at the time, were drinking.
The two men were scheduled to appear in Mason Municipal Court Tuesday, but their cases were continued. A new court date had not been set Thursday.
Mason Prosecutor Robert Peeler said the two firefighters could be facing additional charges.
“I don't want to comment further until we have all the facts of the case in order,” Mr. Peeler said.
According to Mason police, Mr. Ellis, the driver of the pickup, was traveling south on Mason-Montgomery Road when he attempted to turn left into the parking lot of UDF. Traveling at an estimated speed of 60 mph (legal limit is 45 mph), Mr. Ellis allegedly missed the parking lot driveway and hit a light pole in front of the store.
Three UDF clerks who witnessed the crash told police that Mr. Ellis repeatedly tried to back up and leave the scene, but couldn't because the truck was disabled. At that point, Mr. Ellis jumped out of the car and ran off, while his passenger, Mr. Elliott, used a pay phone to call another firefighter for help, witnesses said.
According to reports, Deerfield Fire Inspector Dave Schmiege arrived minutes later and picked up both men and left the scene prior to the arrival of Mason police. No charges have been brought against Mr. Schmiege.
Police at the scene said the truck had a strong odor of alcohol emanating from it and that there was a keg pump and two beer mugs on the floorboard.
“Both the mug and the cup had a strong smell of an alcoholic beverage, and both front seats were saturated with the same smell,” said officer Ryan Tanner of the Mason Police Department.
Both men were arrested about three hours after the crash, according to police. Neither of them was tested for alcohol.
“Because of the three-hour time frame between when the crash occurred and when they were arrested, it would have been kind of difficult to prove what their intoxication levels would have been,” Officer Tanner said.
Mr. Ellis faces charges of reckless operation, falsification and fleeing the scene, in addition to obstructing justice. He could face up to six months in jail and more than $1,000 in fines.
Mr. Elliott, who was charged only with obstructing justice, a second-degree misdemeanor, faces up to 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines.
Deerfield Township Fire Chief William Kramer said Thursday the township is conducting its own investigation. Chief Kramer said both firefighters have had their driving privileges within the department suspended and each received a significant reduction in pay.
“We've had an exemplary record in our short time of not having these types of things happen within our department,” said Chief Kramer, who found out about the incident while at a speaking engagement in Florida.
Chief Kramer said he considers the incident to be “a serious one.”
Chief Kramer said any additional disciplinary action taken would wait until after an internal hearing early next week. He said the two men could possibly face suspension, if such an action is warranted.
“We have to be very careful to distinguish between what people can do on the job and what they do on their own time,” Chief Kramer said.
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