Sheriff's Deputy Backs Into A Home, Drunk?

A Mason County Sheriff’s Deputy backed into a garage at a house party about three miles away from his home.

There was serious structural damage done to the home when Deputy Jason Gilley reportedly slammed into it. Court documents indicate that when state troopers arrived on the scene, several deputies were there. Gilley allegedly smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet.

He refused several field sobriety tests. A trooper was able to get a blood-alcohol content more than 35 minutes later at the police station. At that time, Gilley’s BAC registered .165 which is more than twice the legal limit.

Neighbor David Gardner, who lives about three houses down from where the incident took place was surprised.
"Couldn't believe it, really,” Gardner said. “He's always been a good guy to me."

Gardener, who drives a bus, says that he has never seen a drunk driver. But the possibility that someone in charge of ticketing other drunk drivers getting a DUI scares him.

He’s known Gilley more than 20 years and agrees that everyone makes mistakes and hopes that Gilley was able to get counseling.

The Mason County Sheriff’s Department is conducting its own internal investigation. However, Sheriff Greg Powers would not reveal Gilley’s status with the department and he would not comment further on the incident.