Grand Junction fire chief Thomas Launderville was arrested early Saturday morning after driving the Grand Junction fire and rescue ambulance while intoxicated.
According to information from the Jefferson police department, Grand Junction fire and rescue was dispatched on a medical call at 11:31 pm Friday to a residence in Grand Junction.
A JPD officer overheard radio traffic between the ambulance driver and Greene County dispatch while the ambulance was en route to Greene County Medical Center. The officer noticed the driver’s speech was slurred. The male was later identified as Grand Junction fire chief Thomas Launderville
Because of Launderville’s slurred speech, the officer investigated further by meeting the ambulance at the medical center. While there, the officer talked with Launderville and noticed signs of intoxication. The officer asked Launderville to complete field sobriety tests; Launderville refused.
Launderville, 39, of Grand Junction was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated- second offense (aggravated misdemeanor). He was previously convicted of OWI in Greene County in October 2014.
After he was transported to the Law Enforcement Center Launderville consented to a breath test which showed he had a blood alcohol content of .21 percent, more than 2-1/2 times the legal limit.
