From WJLA
WASHINGTON (2014-04-09) – Veteran DC Fire and EMS firefighter-technician Jason Siegel worked out of Engine 13 in Southwest Washington. One aspect of his job was driving the fire truck that waits on White House grounds when the president comes and goes via Marine One. if there’s an emergency, those firefighters can quickly respond. Now Siegel is on leave after a DUI arrest.
According to police, the 40 year old lost control of his SUV early Sunday morning and crashed into a pole at the intersection of New Jersey Avenue and O Street Northwest.
According to the crash report, Siegel told police: “A person he knows as Andrew was operating the vehicle at the time of the accident, and fled the scene on foot.”
He added, “Officer, I’m not trying to get a DWI arrest, take me to the firehouse and let me sleep it off, and I’ll come back later and deal with this.”
Later, when asked about the incident he stated: “I was driving southbound when I lost control.”
This is not the first time Siegel has been arrested. According to online court records, Siegel was picked up in Maryland for DUI in 2007, in 2012 and 2013 for driving with a suspended license. And now in the district for DUI.
A good deal of debris remains at the scene of Sunday’s crash. According to the report, Siegel was not injured and refused to take a breathalyzer test.
There have been so many firefighters arrested – well over a dozen since the fall – that the department issued a special order back in January calling on all members to report any arrests or driving revocations in the last three years.
A department spokesperson says Jason Siegel did NOT self report and could face disciplinary action for not doing so.
See VIDEO from ABC 7 reporter Jay Korff