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CalFire director arrested for DUI; makes apologies
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CopyCalFire Director Del Walters, appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence on Highway 70 near Camp Layman around 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.
Quincy California Highway Patrol Officer Robert Hymas allegedly observed a Silver Nissan 350 Z going over the speed limit and made a stop.
Quincy CHP Sgt. Jack Bomquist said Hymas observed signs and symptoms of intoxication when speaking with Walters. He added that Hymas explained several sobriety tests to the CalFire director.
Bomquist said Walters subsequently failed a sufficient number of the tests to be taken into custody on a DUI charge.
Bomquist said there was another person in the car who was also drunk. In cases like this, according to Bomquist, when the passenger is too drunk to drive but sober enough to care for him or herself, the CHP transports the passenger to a safe place.
The sergeant also said a blood test was taken from Walters, with results still pending.
Walters was booked into the Plumas County Correctional Center Friday and released Saturday, Aug. 22.
The Plumas County District Attorney's Office has not received the case yet and indicated it would not comment even when it did.
No other agency had information on whether Walters had any prior convictions, but standard procedure for DUI arrests without priors is to release the alleged offender when he or she regains sobriety. Walters's release on the calendar day after his arrest seemed to be in accordance with that procedure.
CalFire issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25, saying that Walters was off duty and driving his personal car at the time of the incident.
According to the statement, Walters has agreed to a probationary period of 120 days while he seeks counseling from the state's Employee Support Services. He will continue full time in his position as CalFire director, but will be required to provide regular updates on his "personal progress."
Walters said, "I fully acknowledge that this incident contradicts my entire professional career dedicated to public safety.
"For that, I offer my apology and my word that I will tirelessly work to regain your trust and continue my dedication to protecting the safety of all Californians."
Walters, 55, resides in Redding.
Copyright 2009 The Chester Progressive, Chester, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2009 The Chester Progressive Chester, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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