IWATE (TR) – Police here have cited a 22-year-old firefighter in Morioka City for driving under the influence after he failed a breathalyzer test at a checkpoint, despite his insistence that he was completely sober, reports TV Asahi (June 30).
The suspect began drinking with colleagues at around 7:30 p.m. on the night of the incident. According to the Morioka Regional Wide Area Fire Fighting Association, the young firefighter downed five large mugs of chuhai (shochu highball) at the first establishment. Relocating to a second bar, he consumed two more glasses of chuhai followed by a shot of tequila.
After finishing his binge, the man reportedly spent five hours walking around and resting in an attempt to sober up before getting behind the wheel of his car to head home.
“Since time had passed, I felt like the alcohol had left my system,” the firefighter reportedly told investigators. “My head was clear, and I judged there would be no problem driving.”
His self-assessment proved wrong when he was pulled over at a routine police checkpoint. A breath test revealed an alcohol concentration well over the legal limit.
Yoshinori Uchiyama, Deputy Fire Chief and Head of General Affairs, issued an apology on behalf of the department regarding the 22-year-old’s actions.
“He lacked the awareness required of a public servant, and has caused a great deal of trouble for our residents,” Uchiyama said.
