Palm Harbor Firefighter Charged With DUI

PALM HARBOR, FL — Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a Palm Harbor firefighter accused of driving erratically while under the influence of alcohol.

According to the sheriff's office, at 9:06 p.m. Sunday, the sheriff's office received 911 calls from three people concerning a Dodge Ram truck that was swerving all over the road while traveling north on U.S. 19 North between State Road 580 and Curlew Road. The callers said the truck nearly struck the median and several vehicles. One caller thought the driver was falling asleep behind the wheel.

Deputies responded to the scene but could not find the truck. One caller gave a license plate number so deputies went to the address listed for that license plate and found the Dodge Ram parked in front of the home, engine still running. Deputies said Palm Harbor firefighter Thomas Coty Walker, 29, was in the driver's seat. Deputies said he had bloodshot, glassy eyes and there was the distinct odor of alcohol on his breath.

When asked to perform a field sobriety test, Walker refused and asked "for professional courtesy." He was arrested for DUI and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

"Palm Harbor Fire Rescue will be conducting an internal investigation," said Palm Harbor Fire Chief Scott Sanford.