Toledo firefighter charged in hit-skip accident; complaint alleges extreme intoxication

1/1/2013

A Toledo firefighter arrested after being involved in a hit-skip car crash is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

Paul Heiss, 31, 2354 Charlestown Ave., a 10-year member of the Toledo Fire Department, is charged with disorderly conduct while intoxicated.

According to a complaint filed in Toledo Municipal Court, police were investigating a hit-skip injury accident Sunday and went to Mr. Heiss’ home to question him.

“The defendant was found to be extremely intoxicated to the point where he was barely able to stand and care for himself,” the complaint states.

A report on the crash was unavailable, but officials said Mr. Heiss struck a vehicle driven by a woman who reported “minor injuries.”

Mr. Heiss, who works out of downtown's Station 5, was arrested at 8:16 p.m., according to jail records.

In a statement Monday, Chief Luis Santiago said, “The department was made aware of the incident last night and we are currently gathering information and will be investigating the situation.” Toledo fire Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld said Mr. Heiss is “off sick.”

It was not clear Monday how long an internal investigation might take or what repercussions Mr. Heiss could face.

Mr. Heiss, according to city records, was hired on Dec. 6, 2002. He has no prior arrest record in Toledo.