SCFR officer arrested for DUI

Published 2:00 pm Thursday, March 15, 2018

MARION OAKS — A Suwannee County Fire Rescue officer was arrested Tuesday night in Marion County after T-boning another vehicle, fleeing the scene, being bit by a dog and trying to escape twice from the hospital. 

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Gerard R. Jordan, 42, ran the red light at the intersection of County Road 484 and Marion Oaks Boulevard and hit a Toyota van.

The driver of the van, Alvarenga Herrera, 57, was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

The report states there was a strong smell of alcohol emitting from Jordan’s vehicle but Jordan was not in or near his vehicle.

According to the report, Jordan was sitting in his wife’s vehicle waiting for transportation to a hospital.

The trooper requested a blood sample from Jordan but he refused, the report states.

According to FHP, Jordan was incoherent and slurring his words.

After completing the crash investigation, the trooper went to advise Jordan that he would be arrested on DUI charges, but he had fled the scene.

The report states a quick search came up empty so the K-9 team was deployed.

Jordan was located 200 feet from the scene behind some bushes but he failed to comply with orders and was bit by a K-9, the report states. 

Jordan was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center and shortly after arriving fled on foot but was quickly located, the report states.

According to the report, while Jordan was waiting some tests to be done, he fled again and was quickly caught by a trooper and restrained.

Jordan faces charges for DUI with injuries, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries and DUI property damage.

He was booked into the Marion County Jail after being discharged from the hospital.

According to Public Safety Director James Sommers, Jordan was terminated Wednesday after being notified of the arrest. 

Jordan was a Battalion Chief and has been with the department since 2009, according to SCFR website. He was previously with Marion County Fire Rescue.

“It is unfortunate these events occurred,” Sommers said. “The employee was off duty during the time of the incident. Suwannee County Fire Rescue does not condone nor tolerate these types of actions therefore his employment was terminated effective immediately.”