By Aleasha Sandley, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — An Anderson firefighter was arrested Saturday after he allegedly drove his SUV while intoxicated and crashed into another vehicle.
Robert P. Edmonson, 43, crossed into the northbound lanes of Scatterfield Road near Interstate 69 at 7:51 p.m. Saturday in his 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, hitting a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Chad M. Blackmon, Anderson, according to the Anderson Police Department accident report. It is unclear whether Edmonson was traveling southbound on Scatterfield Road or was exiting from the interstate.
Edmonson’s vehicle sustained heavy damage to the front end when it struck Blackmon’s vehicle, went about 50 yards into a field and struck a tree. Blackmon refused medical treatment.
Edmonson was transported to Saint John’s Medical Center, where a blood test showed a 0.21 blood-alcohol concentration, almost three times the legal limit of 0.08. He was preliminarily charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated and his case has been forwarded to the Madison County prosecutor’s office for formal charges, Madison County Sheriff Ron Richardson said.
The police report said Edmonson appeared heavily intoxicated at the scene of the accident.
Anderson Fire Department Chief Dave Clendenen said Edmonson was on unpaid medical leave from the department but declined to comment further on the situation.
A message left at a phone number listed for Edmonson was not returned Tuesday.
Anderson police investigated the accident while Madison County sheriff’s deputy Sgt. John Owen arrested Edmonson.
