West Bloomfield Fire Chief Arrested During Crash Investigation

Flashing red emergency lights on a police car or fire truck.
Emergency lights flash on a vehicle, symbolizing the crash investigation that led to the West Bloomfield Fire Chief's arrest.

A surprising arrest came out of a rollover crash investigation in Ontario County Thursday night.

Deputies say they were investigating a crash on Routes 5 and 20 in West Bloomfield when they discovered the town’s fire chief had allegedly driven to the scene while intoxicated.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Chief Ronald Smith arrived in his personal vehicle to assist at the accident. After a roadside investigation, deputies charged the Lima man with Driving While Intoxicated and Consumption of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle.

Smith was issued appearance tickets and is scheduled to answer the charges in West Bloomfield Town Court at a later date.

As with any criminal charge, the allegations are accusations, and Smith is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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