Firefighter suspended indefinitely after DWI charge

Deputies smelled alcohol on firefighter Mark Madison’s breath, and he was stumbling and slurring his words

July 22, 2014 02:24 AM

Austin American-Statesman

AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin firefighter has been suspended indefinitely after he was charged for driving while intoxicated when he was off duty, officials said.

Mark Madison, 53, was arrested May 10 about 10:50 p.m. after Travis County deputies responded on a call of a disabled car blocking the road at the 1700 block of Grand Avenue Parkway, according to a memo from Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr.

Madison was driving west on Grand Avenue and struck the curb when he tried to make a left turn on Vision Drive, an arrest affidavit said.

Madison smelled strongly of alcohol, his speech was slurred, seemed confused and he refused to take a sobriety test, the memo said.

During an interview on May 30, Madison said that he went to Down in Texas Saloon, a bar at 16328 Interstate 35 in North Austin, about 1 p.m. and had between 10 and 12 cocktails, according to the memo.

Travis County records show Madison was charged May 11 with driving while intoxicated, a class C misdemeanor. His bail was set at $2,500.