Oxford Ambulance Director Jerry Schwab pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he drove under the influence in Ansonia in July.
The results from Schwab’s urinalysis do not show alcohol in his system, his lawyer, Dominick Thomas said.
“There was no alcohol present, only drugs that perscribed by a doctor,” Thomas said.
Schwab, 29, is also a member of the Oxford Board of Education.
On July 3, Ansonia police charged him with driving under the influence, failure to drive right and failure to obey a traffic signal.
Police stopped Schwab at about 1 a.m. after he allegedly ran a red light on Bridge Street.
Police said his speech was slurred.
When police asked him if he had anything to drink, he said he had two glasses of wine at dinner at 8 p.m. and had taken two Vicodin (pain medication) at dinner. The pain medication was for a knee injury, a police report stated.
Schwab failed field sobriety tests, police said, but he blew a “zero” on his Breathalyzer test.
Schwab was driving a own vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Schwab contends he was having a hypoglycemic attack at the time of his arrest.
Prosecuter John Kerwin said the state has completed all of the tests with the investigation but will not disclose those results until the case goes to trial.
Kerwin did say based on the urinalysis results that alcohol intoxication has been ruled out.
“The state plans to prosecute on drugs over alcohol,” he said.
The case is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Oct. 1.
How long is this thing going to drag out???? No wonder the courts are sooo backed up!!
He should realize for the common good that he needs to resign from the Education Board. When those who serve put themselves above those they serve they become self serving and no longer do what is best for everyone.
Since David Haversat, running for 1st Selectman, is one of Mr. Schwab’s best friends, maybe Mr. Haversat could show his leadership skills and publicly call for Mr. Schwab’s resignation for the good of the town. This would show Mr. Haversat is a leader rather then protecting one of his own. I wonder if he has the courage to do it?