CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A firefighter with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department was arrested Saturday night on charges of driving under the influence after the vehicle he was driving ended up in a ditch off Blanding Boulevard, a Clay County Sheriff's Office arrest report says.
An officer responded to the Circle K on Blanding after being called to a single-vehicle traffic accident. The officer saw a car that drove over a curb and into a ditch on the south side of the building.
James Lanier, 49, told the officer he had "two or three drinks." The report says he was in the driver's seat with the key still in the ignition.
According to the report, Lanier was unstable on his feet while trying to walk, nearly falling several times. The officer smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Lanier's breath and requested another officer conduct a DUI investigation.
Anytime there is a suspicion of a DUI crash, officers must call for another officer to respond.
A second officer read Lanier his Miranda Rights, and Lanier said he understood and still wished to speak to the officer.
He asked Lanier when the last time he drank was, and Lanier said he had one beer on Saturday night. Lanier then told the officer he wanted his lawyer and denied performing field sobriety exercises.
The second officer says Lanier had a "very flushed face and bloodshot watery eyes" and an "overwhelming odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage [was] emanating from the defendant's facial area, which grew stronger as he spoke."
Lanier was arrested following the officer's assessments. When exiting his car, Lanier fell backward into his vehicle. The officer assisted him and placed him in handcuffs, which were double-locked, the report stated. The officer escorted Lenier to his patrol vehicle.
According to the report, a Terrapin Hopsecutioner IPA beer, with 7.3% alcohol content by volume, was in the front center console.
When he was being transported, Lanier repeatedly said a curse word, and asked the officers "How long would this take?" The officer told him he would see a judge in the morning.
Lanier told the officer "his union would get him out tonight." He also told the officers that they "had nothing better to do and that he didn't hurt anyone and didn't cause any property damage."
According to the report, the officer said: "He could be upset with me all he wanted, but I did not put him in this situation."
Lanier agreed with the officer, saying he was aware he was responsible. Lanier then refused to provide a breath sample.
He is facing charges of DUI and having an open container in his vehicle.
A JFRD spokesperson told First Coast News: "JFRD does not comment on specific pending legal cases or active personnel issues. We are aware of Lt. Lanier's arrest and consistent with JFRD SAP 304, he will enter into the disciplinary process pending the outcome of his legal case."
Lanier's arraignment is set for March 25 at 9 a.m. at the Clay County Courthouse.