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.
