Senior Detroit Fire Chief Placed on Unpaid Leave After Off-duty DUI Crash

After his truck slammed into a delivery vehicle, Craig Binder told police he was a senior fire chief in Detroit.

By Mitch Hotts The Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, Mich. (TNS)

Nov. 2, 2026

3 min read

A high-ranking Detroit Fire Department official is in hot water with suburban police after he was arrested for drunk driving following a crash last week in Macomb County, according to a TV news report and court records.

Craig Binder, 55, a senior fire department chief, was arrested the night of Thursday, Oct. 29, for his role in a crash involving a FedEx vehicle in Shelby Township. He was held overnight in the Macomb County Jail before being released the following day.

According to WXYZ-TV ( Channel 7), Binder has been placed on unpaid administrative leave from the fire department.

In a statement to the TV station, Detroit Fire Department Executive Commissioner Chuck Simms said the department learned Friday morning that an off-duty member had been arrested following a crash in another jurisdiction. There were no injuries reported, he added.

“Given the seriousness of the circumstances, the member has been placed on leave without pay pending the outcome of the investigation and related proceedings,” Simms said in the statement.

Online court records at 41A District Court in Shelby Township show Binder was arrested on misdemeanor drunk driving and failure to stop within an assured clear distance, a local offense. He is scheduled to return to court for further proceedings on Dec. 29, records show.

Authorities said the crash took place around 10 p.m. Thursday on 24 Mile Road involving truck driven by Binder and a FedEx vehicle. There were no injuries reported, according to the fire department.

Ring camera video shared with WXYZ captured the crash, which area neighbors resulted in what they described as a loud boom.

A separate video shared with the TV station by another nearby resident showed Binder interacting with police during his arrest. In the video, Binder identifies himself as a senior chief with the Detroit Fire Department.

Anna Polizzi, who lives near the crash scene and witnessed the aftermath, said Binder appeared to be under the influence following the crash.

Polizzi said the FedEx driver involved in the crash had been delivering a package to her home.

A separate video shared with 7 News Detroit by another nearby resident showed Binder interacting with police during his arrest. In the video, Binder identifies himself as a senior chief with the Detroit Fire Department.

Polizzi said Binder appeared to be under the influence following the crash. He “could barely stand,” she told the station.