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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Firefighter Admits Driving Truck Drunk

From Staff And Wire Reports

A volunteer Athol firefighter has pleaded guilty to driving a fire truck while drunk and leaving the scene of an accident earlier this month.

James G. Jeffrey, 59, was charged with drunken driving and leaving the scene of an injury accident after driving a 12-ton fire truck through a red light and into the side of a pickup driven by Michael Dodge.

Dodge was injured in the accident, but Jeffrey continued driving west on Bunco Road to respond to a fire. He was later arrested.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Henry Madsen agreed to reduce the charges from a felony - leaving the scene of an injury accident - to the misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

After reviewing the case and Jeffrey’s past record, “I just didn’t think he was a felon,” Madsen said. The DUI charge is also a misdemeanor, Madsen said.

, DataTimes