Middletown fire official charged with OVI following crash

Middletown’s deputy fire chief has been charged with OVI and failure to control, both misdemeanors, following a weekend crash in the city.

Thomas L. Snively, 54, of Franklin, crashed his 2017 GMC pic-up truck into a pole around 1:50 a.m. Saturday at Central Avenue and South Main Street, according to the accident report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Snively, who was uninjured, told the trooper he “drank too much,” the report says.

There was a “strong odor” of alcohol coming from the vehicle, and Snively’s speech was slurred, the report says. When Snively exited his truck, he stumbled into the trooper and appeared to be “off balance,” the report read.

Snively refused a breath test and was charged with OVI. He was taken to the Hamilton Post of the highway patrol, where he again refused a breath test, according to the report. He refused to give the trooper a statement about the crash.

Snively then was taken to his Franklin residence.

The city is aware of the charges and is investigating internally, said Shelby Quinlivan, communications manager for the city. She said Snively had a planned vacation this week.

His pretrial hearing has been set for Jan. 7 in Middletown Municipal Court, according to court records. His attorney is Paris Ellis.

Franklin City Prosecutor Steve Runge will be acting prosecutor for the case, and an acting judge will be named, Quinlivan said.

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