Montgomery police officer arrested for DUI after crashing cruiser
His arrest powers have been suspended and the investigation is continuing
Shortly after 11 p.m., Cpl. Fernando "Freddie" Martinez of the 4th District station in Wheaton was found standing next to his cruiser on the left shoulder of northbound 270, police said. Arriving officers smelled alcohol on his breath and administered a field sobriety test. Based on that test, the officers arrested Martinez, according to statement.
A police spokeswoman said she did not have any additional information on Saturday. Martinez could not be reached for comment.
Martinez was not injured. The cruiser had "minor damage" to its front and driver's side. His arrest powers have been suspended and the investigation is continuing, according to police.
Martinez is the Hispanic liaison officer for the 4th District, which covers much of the eastern county including Wheaton and Olney. He has also been involved with the department's Explorers program, which trains teens interested in a career in law enforcement.
Martinez is the second county police officer to be arrested in the last year for DUI after crashing a cruiser on I-270.
In May, Officer John Distel crashed his cruiser on southbound 270 near the Montgomery Village exit at about 1:30 a.m. while he was off-duty. He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in October. The terms of the plea allow that the case be withheld from his driving record if he meets the terms of his probation for one year. Distel worked out of the 2nd District Station in Bethesda and has been with the department for seven years.