BARTHOLOMEW CO. – A deputy chief with the Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department has been arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated after crashing his fire department pickup truck while responding to a fire.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department responded to a crash in the 12000 block of East Legal Tender Road at approximately 8:32 p.m. on Sunday. Upon arrival, deputies found the overturned Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department pickup truck with the driver, 67-year-old Thomas Nienaber of Elizabethtown, still inside.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle was traveling with lights and sirens activated when it left the roadway and rolled over. Firefighters at the scene assisted in rescuing Nienaber from the overturned vehicle.
Deputies determined that Nienaber was en route to a structure fire on South County Road 750 East at the time of the crash.
Observing signs of alcohol use, deputies transported Nienaber to Columbus Regional Health for blood testing. Following the test, he was arrested on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department has forwarded information regarding the incident to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for further review.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
.png)
