By Philip Jankowski
Austin American-Statesman
AUSTIN — Austin fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr has suspended a firefighter for 60 days after he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.
The suspension stems from Firefighter Blake Mashburn’s June 13 arrest in Cedar Park at a Sonic Drive-in. Police arrested Mashburn after receiving a complaint involving reckless driving prior to his arrival at the restaurant, a disciplinary memo said.
Mashburn refused field sobriety tests and was arrested. He was taken to the Williamson County Jail, where a search warrant was obtained to take a blood sample for testing. The test later showed that his blood alcohol content was .126, the memo said.
The legal limit is .08.
Jail records also showed Mashburn was charged with possession of a dangerous drug. He was released the same day after posting bail, the records showed.
Mashburn will not be allowed to return to duty until Oct. 3 and was ordered to undergo treatment for alcohol abuse. When he returns, he will be subject to random tests for alcohol use and will be a probationary firefighter for a year, the memo said.
Kerr also suspended a captain with Austin Fire Department for four hours. Capt. Tony Haden was in charge when a fire truck struck the overhead door of a fire station while attempting to leave for an injury call, a disciplinary memo said.
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