Melbourne airport police officer fired after DUI, hit-and-hit crash arrest while in work vehicle
A probationary airport police officer in Melbourne was fired after allegedly driving drunk and crashing a work vehicle.
Patrick White was arrested Tuesday and admitted to being intoxicated, according to police.
He faces DUI and hit-and-run charges and has since bonded out of jail.
MELBOURNE, Fla. - A Melbourne Orlando International Airport police officer has been fired after allegedly driving drunk, crashing a work vehicle, and leaving the scene, officials said.
What we know
Patrick White, a newly hired officer at Melbourne Orlando International Airport, was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly driving drunk and crashing a work vehicle while off duty.
The crash occurred near Malabar Road and Babcock Street. Witnesses flagged erratic behavior, and officers used video evidence to identify and track him down to a nearby parking lot.
White later admitted to being intoxicated, authorities said. He was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage.
What we don't know
It remains unclear how White was able to access and operate a work vehicle while off duty and unauthorized.
The backstory
White had only been with the Melbourne Orlando International Airport Police Department for less than three weeks and was still under probation. He was operating a work vehicle without authorization at the time of the incident, according to airport officials. His employment has since been terminated, and the police department has returned the vehicle.
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The Source
This story was written based on information shared by the Melbourne Police Department.
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