CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A Clay County Sheriff's deputy was arrested Friday afternoon, as he is accused of driving under the influence after being involved in a "rear-end vehicle collision," according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
On Tuesday morning, Sheriff Michelle Cook said the officer had “been terminated." She did not take further questions on the matter Tuesday.
The release states that on Friday around 4:15 p.m., deputy Austin Wiser was involved in the collision that happened at the intersection of County Road 218 and Blanding Boulevard in Middleburg. Police say at the time of the accident, Wiser was on duty and was driving his assigned agency vehicle.
The crash involved two other cars, Florida Highway Patrol's report said. The trooper noted distinct odor of alcohol from alcoholic beverage coming from Wiser. The report said there was a opened can of White Claw hard seltzer in the backseat of Wiser's unmarked patrol car. Wiser was given multiple sobriety tests and was determined to have failed.
Following the collision, the release states that an on duty supervisor with the sheriff's office, responded to the scene.
"The supervisor became concerned about possible signs of impairment and immediately contacted the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to conduct an impartial investigation," the release states. "FHP responded to the scene to manage the accident and the DUI investigation."
The sheriff's office says after Wiser was arrested, he was booked into the Clay County Jail for driving under the influence of alcohol. He is a seven-year veteran of the Clay County Sheriff's Office and has been administratively reassigned pending the outcome of the criminal case, the release states.
Sheriff Michelle Cook expressed disappointment in Wiser's arrest, saying in the release that, "The Clay County Sheriff's Office holds its personnel to the highest standards, and any violation of the law is taken seriously."
"We are committed to maintaining the trust of our community, and appropriate action will be taken following the conclusion of the investigation," Cook added.
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