OWI charge filed against Muscatine fire chief

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) - Drunken driving charges were filed against the Muscatine fire chief after he was stopped by a police officer on Christmas Eve.

A criminal complaint filed Monday in Muscatine County District Court indicates Jerry Ewers has been charged with first-offense operating while intoxicated.

The complaint alleges officers saw a truck hit a fixture in an alley. After the truck was stopped, Ewers was allegedly identified as the driver.

According to court documents, Ewers failed a field-sobriety test and a preliminary breath test before refusing additional testing.

Ewers, who remains on the job, did not return calls for comment on his arrest. Muscatine City Administrator Gregg Mandsager declined to comment.

A court appearance for Ewers is scheduled for Jan. 12.

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Information from: Muscatine Journal, http://www.muscatinejournal.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.