Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Firefighter convicted in crash
Drunken driver to teach class on act's dangers
By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON — Deerfield Township Firefighter Christopher Ellis became a convicted drunken driver Tuesday.
Next week, he will take on a new role — as an alcohol counselor of sorts.
That's when he and two other off-duty firefighters involved in a January crash on Mason-Montgomery Road will begin teaching an alcohol-awareness class to their colleagues.
“We figure it should be more remedial than a punitive action,” Fire Chief Bill Kramer said after Firefighter Ellis, 23, pleaded guilty to charges of drunken driving and leaving the scene of the January accident.
“They are all talented employees and all contributed marvelously when they've been on the job. The silver lining in this is not only has it changed their behavior for the better, but it can have a positive influence on the fire department.”
On Tuesday, Mason Municipal Judge David Batsche ordered Firefighter Ellis, a part-timer on Deerfield Township Fire Rescue, to serve three days in jail or a substance abuse program.
The judge also suspended Firefighter Ellis' driver's license for six months, except for work, and fined him $375. Charges of reckless operation and falsification were dropped in exchange for the plea.
“It shows a willingness on my part to give him an op portunity to keep his job and yet learn something from this situation,” Mason Prosecutor Robert Peeler said after Tuesday's hearing.
“The fact he does what a lot of people do — drinks a little too much — doesn't mean he isn't a good firefighter,” said Firefighter Ellis' attorney, Larry Denny.
Firefighter Ellis was off duty when he tried to turn into the parking lot of United Dairy Farmers at a high rate of speed but hit a light pole instead, authorities said.
He ran off while his passenger, Firefighter Christian Elliott, used a pay phone to call a colleague, Dave Schmiege, to pick them up.
Police said Firefighter Ellis' truck reeked of alcohol and that a keg pump and two beer mugs were on the floor.
Firefighter Schmiege was fined after being convicted of reckless operation for driving through the accident scene to pick up Firefighters Elliott and Ellis, even though firefighters were trying to flag him down to stop, Mr. Peeler said.
Firefighter Elliott pleaded guilty to obstructing official business. The conviction will be erased in six months if he complies with Chief Kramer's order to help conduct the alcohol-awareness program for the fire company, Mr. Peeler said.
Chief Kramer said the department also required the firefighters to undergo an eight-hour alcohol program, and each received varying pay suspensions early in the case. Firefighter Ellis, in the most severe case, lost six 12-hour pay shifts, he said.
All have since returned to normal duties, including driving fire equipment, Chief Kramer said.
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