A senior leader within the Detroit Fire Department has been arrested following a motor vehicle crash that happened while the member was off duty, department officials confirmed Friday. No injuries were reported in the crash, and the member has now been placed on unpaid leave while the investigation and any related legal proceedings play out.
Detroit Fire Department Commissioner Chuck Simms said the department learned of the arrest on Friday, October 30, and that the crash took place in another jurisdiction while the member was off the clock, according to ClickOnDetroit. Simms confirmed the individual holds a senior leadership position within the department, though officials have not released the member's name or any further details about the circumstances of the arrest.
Department Moves Quickly on Unpaid Leave
Per Simms's statement, the member has been placed on leave without pay pending the outcome of the investigation and related proceedings. The commissioner framed the decision around the weight of the role itself, saying serving in a senior leadership position carries significant responsibility. The department said it would allow the legal process to move forward before making any further comment, leaving open questions about the nature of the charges or the status of any court case.
Not the First Off-Duty Case to Hit the Department
This is not the only instance this year of a Detroit firefighter facing legal trouble connected to an off-duty incident. Detroit Fire Battalion Chief Thomas Suchora appeared in court in Livonia over an alleged road-rage incident, where a judge entered not-guilty pleas on his behalf to two misdemeanor charges, according to WXYZ.
In a separate and more serious case, off-duty Detroit firefighter Travis Turner was charged in connection with a suspected drunk-driving crash that killed an 85-year-old woman in Roseville, as reported by CBS Detroit. In that case too, the department said the member involved had been placed on leave without pay pending the outcome of the investigation, echoing the response issued Friday.
For now, the department has offered no additional specifics beyond confirming the arrest, the unpaid leave status, and the absence of reported injuries. Officials have indicated they will not comment further until the legal process runs its course.
