Firefighter James Schlener Fired For DUI in Pennsylvania

A firefighter in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has been fired after receiving a DUI on August 23, 2012. James Schlener, 41, was arrested after he crashed his car into a utility pole in the 1000 block of Eighth Avenue. When police gave Schlener a breath test, they found that his blood alcohol content was .25%, more than 3 times the state’s legal limit of .08%. According to fire Chief George Barkanic, Schlener had been on sick leave since August 21, although he was officially sent his letter of termination on September 20. Schlener had been charged with the highest rate of drunken driving and careless driving.

Schlener was not available for comment, but the President of the Bethlehem Firefighters Union said that Schlener has apologized for the incident as well as his actions and was taking “corrective measures” to resolve the issues. Schlener’s attorney, Donald Souders Jr., said that his client has waived his preliminary hearing and was planning to apply for the first-time offenders program. Schlener had been arrested in 2004, while serving as union president, for simple assault and domestic violence. According to court records, Schlener punched his girlfriend repeatedly and assaulted her with an aluminum sewing kit as well as a glass candle holder.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving, contact a skilled and experienced Pennsylvania DUI attorney for legal assistance.

High Speed DUI in Rhode Island: Going 120 MPH With Kids In Car

A drunk driver in Richmond, Rhode Island was arrested on September 30, 2012 for DUI while driving at a dangerously high speed with his 3 small children in the car with him. Derek Greene, 25, was caught by police driving 120 mph on Interstate 95 and suspected he might be under the influence of alcohol when they detected an odor of alcohol on his breath. Police also noticed that Greene displayed other symptoms of alcohol intoxication such as slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, although, Greene refused to submit a breathalyzer test.

When police arrested Greene, they handed over custody of his 3 children, ages 2, 3 and 4, to their grandmother. Police have also initiated an investigation through Child Protective Services due to Greene’s lack of concern for his children’s safety. Greene has also been charged with failing to take due care as a driver, speeding, driving conditions requiring reduced speed and refusing to submit a chemical test. Superintendent of the state police and commissioner of public safety Col. Steven O’Donnell issued a statement saying, “This is another example of behavior that, if not prevented, could turn into another horrific tragedy. I commend our troopers for being vigilant to this never ending issue“.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving, contact a skilled and experienced Rhode Island DUI attorney for legal assistance.

Phil Bonus, Florida Vice Mayor Headed To Court For DUI

Phil Bonus, the Vice Mayor in Maitland, Florida was arrested in December of 2011 for DUI and is headed to court on October 12, 2012. Apparently, Bonus was arrested after nearly striking two police officers who were directing traffic at a construction site near North 22nd street in Tampa. Around 9 pm on December 7, 2011, Bonus was making a U-turn when he nearly hit the first officer and proceeded south for another quarter mile before making another U-turn and almost striking another officer. Officers stopped Bonus after making his second U-turn and reportedly detected an odor of alcohol on his breath in addition to other symptoms of alcohol intoxication such as bloodshot, glassy eyes.

Police impounded Bonus’ Jaguar where they also found a loaded pistol, which Bonus did have a concealed license for. During the arrest, Phil Bonus apparently refused to take a breathalyzer test as well. This isn’t the first time the Vice Mayor has made headlines in Florida though. Bonus has also admitted to being a part of the East Orange County prostitution ring, with his name being among those on the client list. He allegedly visited the brothel a half dozen times and has gone on the record saying that he knows he’s made some “horrible choices” in the past, however, his family has since forgiven him.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving, contact a skilled Florida DUI attorney for legal assistance.

Drunk Driver Kills Australian Tourist in California

On September 21, 2012, California resident Cara Cameron was found guilty of a murder she committed the previous month. Cameron, who is 26 years old, ran over an Australian tourist while she was drunk driving through the 300 block of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California. Australian tourist and notable former rugby player, Gary Robert Mara, and his family were walking across a street with a “Don’t Walk” sign when Cameron’s automobile crashed against them. Sources claim that the drunk driver, Cameron, “had been traveling Eastbound and had the green light, but failed to stop when the family crossed the intersection.” Mara was severely hurt by the crash and was transmitted to a nearby trauma center. He died the following morning. However, Mara’s 8 year old daughter-Olivia and 43 year old wife-Julianne survived the collision. Olivia received minor injuries and was admitted to a local hospital, while Julianne did not receive any injuries.

Drunk driver, Cameron, remained at the scene of the accident until the Santa Monica Police officials arrived. “During the investigation, authorities determined that she was under the influence and arrested her for felony driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.” Cameron was apprehended, but later released from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after paying a fee of $100,000 from her $1,000,000 bail. The Superior Court of Los Angeles-Airport Branch, the Santa Monica D.A. revised the charges made to Cameron to include murder after officials discovered that she had a previous alcohol-related accident in 2007. In addition, it was also discovered that Cameron had a history of consuming other substances such as marijuana, cocaine, Xanax, and DMT, a psychedelic. A preliminary hearing will begin on October 29^th.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for drunk driving, contact a skilled California DUI attorney for legal assistance.