Deputy in St. Patrick's Day Crash Allegedly 'Super Drunk'

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OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – After he allegedly crashed into the back of an elderly woman’s vehicle on St. Patrick’s Day, now suspended Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Drew Sackner, 29, registered a blood alcohol content of 0.20 on a Breathalyzer test, authorities said Friday.

That’s enough for charges under Michigan’s “super drunk” law, which allows for harsher penalties for a motorist whose blood alcohol content registers 0.17 or higher. A motorist with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 is considered legally drunk in Michigan.

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• 2 Deputies To Be Fired After Drunken Driving Crash: Sheriff

Sackner and Deputy David Weaver III, 25, weren’t on duty when Sackner allegedly rear-ended the other vehicle — then failed to stop at the scene of the accident, according to charges filed at their arraignment in 50th District Court Thursday.

In addition to his operating a motor vehicle with a high BAC charge, Sackner is charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident; both deputies are charged with possession of a firearm while under the influence; and Weaver is charged with allowing an intoxicated person to operate a motor vehicle, according to a statement from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Both deputies have been suspended, and Sheriff Michael Bouchard has said he plans to fire them. Hearings on termination proceedings will be held next week.

In a statement after the accident, Bouchard said the office is “deeply disappointed” by the incident.

“This is completely unacceptable on more levels than I can list,” Bouchard said.“Law enforcement is held to a higher standard. They have violated the public’s trust and will be held accountable for their inexcusable actions.”

The 70-year-old woman whose vehicle was rear-ended in the crash, which happened about 11 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, was treated for minor injuries at an area hospital and released.

Sheriff’s office deputies from the Pontiac substation who responded to the accident reported “it was apparent that both off-duty deputies had been drinking,” Bouchard said in March.

The deputies’ next court date is 9 a.m. on April 26.