SEATTLE — Quick Facts:
- Seattle firefighter convicted of DUI
- KIRO 7 investigation showed he drove for department after DUI arrest
- Recent arrest was at least his fourth for DUI
- Firefighter sentenced to 75 days in jail
- Sentenced stayed until May 18. Defense can make motion to dismiss.
A Seattle firefighter who passed out in his SUV was convicted of drunken driving and could face jail time.
Police said Joseph Dempsey had a blood alcohol of .176, more than twice the legal limit, when he was found on Fifth Avenue March 29, 2014. He was sentenced late Thursday, April 2.
According to court documents filed by the Seattle City Attorney's Office it was at least his fourth DUI arrest. In those documents it said Dempsey "poses an extreme danger to public safety."
After he installed his interlock device on April 4, the Seattle Fire Department allowed him behind the wheel for six shifts before taking him off the road.
A KIRO 7 investigation showed that Dempsey was one of multiple firefighters who were allowed to continue driving against department policy. Click here to read that investigation from reporter Linzi Sheldon.
The department checks licenses twice a year. When asked about problems with the policy, former Chief Gregory Dean couldn't answer whether it was a failure of the department to react or of employees to report.
"We have some lapses in our policy," Dean said. "We are looking to correct that."
He has since retired. It's not clear if a new policy is in place.
Dempsey's jury trial took less than a week and he was sentenced after Tuesday's verdict.
The City Attorney’s Office recommended a full year in jail in addition to fines. However, the court imposed 364 days with 199 suspended – which means 75 days in jail, plus 90 days of electronic home monitoring.
He also faces a $5,000 fine with $3,725 fine suspended, plus $102.50, $43, $200, $960 probation fees, according to the City Attorney’s Office.
Dempsey is also prohibited from driving without a valid license and insurance, cannot refuse a breath or blood test and must have an ignition interlock device.
The court also allowed work release and stayed the sentence until May 18 to give defense an opportunity to raise a post-trial motion to dismiss.
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