Tampa Fire Rescue Captain Charged with DUI

In Tampa on Jan. 26 a Tampa Fire Rescue captain was charged and arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol early Wednesday morning.

Capt. Charles Francis Eliason was stopped and arrested just before 2 a.m. Wednesday morning by officers who witnessed him driving erratically, swerving through traffic lanes and speeding at more than 70 mph.

A field sobriety test was conducted on Eliason, who was eventually arrested and taken to Orient Road Jail. After his bail was posted, he was released.

A spokesman for fire rescue stated that Capt. Eliason took a personal leave that day, and will receive a letter of reprimand and have to participate in the employee assistance program.

Eliason has worked for the fire rescue department for 15 years, currently working at station 13 in northern Tampa. According to the spokesman he is a captain of long-time good standing and a good paramedic. The department was "disappointed" but it seemed likely from comments that it would not be a repeat incident.

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