From KENS 5
Erich Wolf, a paramedic assigned to Fire Station 9 on San Antonio’s east side, had already been flagged by SAFD supervisors for tardiness when he was arrested for DWI in Austin on August 15.
An Austin Police Department incident report released to KENS 5 states Wolf’s truck struck a highway wall before witnesses told police he passed out behind the wheel while stopped at a traffic light. Austin police officers who arrived on scene reported that Wolf was “disoriented” and thought he was 50 miles away in New Braunfels.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office did not respond to requests for comment from KENS 5 Wednesday.
SAFD increases suspension protocol after string of firefighter DWI arr…
Six weeks later, Wolf was charged with two counts of DWI and misdemeanor destruction of highway property in San Marcos.
Police there said Wolf crashed a limousine through fence posts into a ditch near Aquarena Springs Drive and the Interstate 35 access road, then fled on foot. Wolf was arrested after returning to the scene 30 minutes later in a truck. According to San Marcos police, Wolf denied driving the limo at first before admitting its brakes failed while he was behind the wheel.
The Hays County District Attorney told KENS 5 Wednesday the San Marcos DWI case against Wolf is still pending. ….MORE
Chief Charles Hood released this statement:
The San Antonio Fire Department takes the issue of driving while intoxicated very seriously. As emergency responders, we are very cognizant of the devastating impact impaired drivers have on our City. We are leaders in our community and the patrons of San Antonio look to us as an example of honor, duty and courage. The Department has created numerous programs to assist and guide our personnel through our Employee Assistance Program. In addition, the SAFD adopted a new disciplinary policy in December of 2014 which states that a first offense of driving while intoxicated will result in an indefinite suspension. A second offense for driving while intoxicated will result in termination. It is my sincere hope that this disciplinary model will effectively convey the severity of driving while intoxicated and deter our personnel from engaging in this destructive behavior.
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