N.Y. Fire Officer Charged With DWI While in Dept. Truck
Source The Times-Union (Albany, NY)
GLENVILLE -- The first assistant chief of the Malta Ridge Volunteer Fire Co. was charged with driving while intoxicated after he struck an oncoming vehicle and fled the scene in a fire department truck he was driving, according to Glenville police.
At 7:17 p.m. Feb. 17, Michael F. Minervini, 40, of Ballston Spa, crossed over the center lane of Freemans Bridge Road, sideswiped a vehicle with three occupants and took off from the scene, according to police records.
Glenville police stopped Minervini going north on Route 50. Tests found the fire official with a blood alcohol content of 0.13 percent, according to documents filed in Glenville Town Court.
Minervini was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and moving from a lane unsafely, a traffic violation, according to court papers.
Neither Glenville police nor Malta Ridge Fire Co. Chief Peter Shaw could be reached Monday for comment. Minervini is scheduled to appear Tuesday in Town Court.
The assistant fire chief was driving a 2005 GMC Sierra truck registered to the Malta Ridge Fire Co., according to court papers. The collision smashed the truck's side mirror, police said. Minervini smelled of alcohol, his eyes were glassy and his motor skills were impaired, police records said.
During questioning after his arrest, Minervini told Glenville police officer Mark Kirker that he was driving home from Schenectady when the accident occurred. He admitted to drinking two or three beers a couple of hours prior to the accident, and didn't have a good reason for allegedly leaving the scene of the accident, according to court documents.
"I believe I was OK to drive," police quote Minervini as saying.
[email protected] - 518-454-5353 - @DAYusko
Copyright 2012 The Hearst CorporationAll Rights Reserved
