Girard fire chief charged with DUI

Girard fire chief charged with DUI

GIRARD

City police say Fire Chief Kenneth Bornemiss is facing charges after he hit another vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol this weekend.

According to police reports, Bornemiss caused an accident after he failed to stop at the intersection of Wilson Avenue and South State Street around 12:45 a.m. Saturday. He was off duty in his personal vehicle.

Police said no one was injured but during the interview Bornemiss exhibited slurred speech and red glossy eyes. After declining field sobriety tests, he was taken to the police station and submitted to a breath test which showed a blood alcohol content of .248. The legal limit in Ohio is .08.

Police charged Bornemiss with failure to yield and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Mayor Jim Melfi said Bormemiss’ status as chief had not changed, and that Melfi said Bornemiss is entitled to a due process of law. He said Bornemiss took a personal day from work on Monday.

Melfi noted that Bornemiss had never had any issues before and had served as “a model” employee since his promotion to chief in 2003.

He said Bornemiss is scheduled to appear in municipal court early next week.