CLEVELAND, Ohio -- An off-duty Cleveland police officer was charged with drunken
driving after a fender bender downtown.
Officer Paul Beckwith, 41, of Cleveland, was arrested Nov. 28 after a two-car accident about 4:45 p.m. on West 9th Street. When the investigating officer realized that Beckwith was a policeman, a supervisor was called to the scene.
Both Beckwith and the other driver, Carmen Fiorilli, 42, of Cleveland, were cited after they failed breath-alcohol tests, police said. Beckwith's blood alcohol level was between .08-.169.
Fiorilli's level of intoxication was not available.
Beckwith was charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and following to closely. The charges are from the same offense. The maximum penalty for each offense is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Beckwith was hired in 1993 and works in the 2nd District. He is on restricted duty pending the outcome of the case.