The Cincinnati Enquirer by Paul McKibben - April 4, 2011
MILFORD, OHIO – Police here arrested an off-duty Blue Ash police officer early Sunday on drunken driving and reckless driving charges. William Fritts, 42, of Miami Township, was arrested at 1:51 a.m. Sunday on Mill near High streets, Milford police said. Fritts was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and reckless operation. Both charges are misdemeanors. Fritts was in his personal vehicle that was disabled, according to Milford Police Chief Jamey Mills. No one else was in the vehicle. Mills said he believed Fritts had hit a rock and the car was dragging it. “He was stuck on the rock apparently,” Mills said. “But again, I wasn’t there. I’m just going from what I’ve heard (Sunday) morning.” Fritts will be arraigned Friday before Judge Anthony Brock, according to court records. Fritts is the second Blue Ash police officer to be accused of drunk driving in less than a year. Officer Jason Lobenthal, 38, of Anderson Township, was found guilty of drunken driving and disorderly conduct in February, stemming from an incident last August in East Hyde Park. Lobenthal followed a woman in her vehicle to the Cincinnati Police Department’s eastern district office in East Hyde Park. Lobenthal blocked the woman with his vehicle and banged on her window. He did not deny the charges and said he had blacked out after a night of drinking at a Mason bar. Blue Ash Police Chief Chris Wallace and a hearing officer have recommended Lobenthal lose his job. His attorney has said termination is excessive because his record is relatively unblemished. That decision rests with the city manager. Wallace could not be reached Sunday to comment on Fritts’ arrest.
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