Commander faces drunken driving charges

Keith Paul

Monday, Nov. 27, 2000 | 11:40 a.m.

A Metro Police commander has been relieved of duty following charges he smashed his car into a fence and fire hydrant while drunk Sunday, then left the scene.

Cmdr. Charles Davidaitis, 53, was booked into the Clark County jail on misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Lt. Marc Joseph, a Metro spokesman, said.

He was released from the jail about 7 p.m. on personal recognizance, jail officials said.

"Driving drunk and leaving the scene of an accident are serious violations," Undersheriff Richard Winget said this morning. "He's been relieved of duty and we are conducting our investigation before making any decision on appropriate action."

Davidaitis is on administrative leave with pay pending the criminal and internal investigations. He could face punishment from the department in addition to any criminal penalties if found guilty of the charges.

Davidaitis is accused of crashing his car into a light pole, a fire hydrant and a length of chain-link fence about 4:30 p.m. Sunday near Bill Y. Tomiyasu Elementary School on Annie Oakley Drive, between Russell Road and Tropicana Avenue. He is then accused of driving to his nearby home, police said.

Witnesses gave police the license plate number of the car and a description of the car. Police went to Davidaitis' home, he was given a blood-alcohol test and arrested, Joseph said.

Davidaitis has been with Metro for 22 years and earlier this year was promoted to one of two newly created positions of commander. He oversees the southwest, northwest and northeast area commands. The two commanders report to the deputy chief over the patrol division.

Davidaitis was the captain of the southwest area command before he was promoted to commander. Davidaitis could not be reached for comment this morning.