Saturday, February 21, 2015

WOMAN WHO STRUCK CHATTANOOGA, TN FIREFIGHTER AND THEN RUN, MAY HAVE BEEN DRINKING ON THE JOB




FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE

Police say the woman involved in a hit-and-run with a Chattanooga firefighter had been drinking that night at the bar where she worked. Channel 3 learned Thursday morning that Andrea Payne was a bartender at Fanatics Sports Bar & Grill on East Brainerd Road.
Police say Payne had just gotten off work, was over the legal limit, and traveled 0.7 miles east down East Brainerd Road where the collision occurred.

The owner of Fanatics told Channel 3 Thursday he "disputes" allegations that his bartender was drinking on the job.

Still, the beer board could possibly fine Fanatics or revoke or suspend its license to serve.

Attorney Matthew Brownfield represented the bar's owners in front of the beer board Thursday morning. He told the board he was just hired last night and requested more time to meet with his clients before an official hearing.

"This a unique situation with the driver of the vehicle who injured the firefighter having been indicted, I'd like to have time to confer with my clients, to speak with people who worked with them, who may have witnessed what Andrea Payne was doing that day," Brownfield said.

"We would like to have more time to prepare, to obtain witnesses from the sports bar if necessary and we'd like to talk to Ms. Payne but she's represented by counsel so I don't know if that's going to be possible at all."

The grand jury indicted Payne last week on charges of DUI, vehicular assault and leaving the scene of an accident.

Police say she hit CFD Lieutenant Larry O'Rear as he was working a crash February 1 on East Brainerd Road.

The driver did not stop and O'Rear suffered serious injuries.

Fanatics will be back before the beer board March 5 for an official hearing.
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BARTENDER WHO HIT FIREFIGHTER HAD BAC OF 0.12

FEBRUARY 19, 2015
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WRCB) - 

UPDATE: Channel 3 has learned Andrea Payne's BCA (Blood Alcohol Content) was measured at 0.12.

In Tennessee, a BAC of 0.08 is considered to be driving under the influence.

Police say the woman involved in a hit-and-run with a Chattanooga firefighter had been drinking that night at the bar where she worked.
Channel 3 learned Thursday morning that Andrea Payne was a bartender at Fanatics Sports Bar & Grill on East Brainerd Road.

Police say Payne had just gotten off work, was over the legal limit, and traveled 0.7 miles east down East Brainerd Road where the collision occurred.
The owner of Fanatics told Channel 3 Thursday he "disputes" allegations that his bartender was drinking on the job.
Still, the beer board could possibly fine Fanatics or revoke or suspend its license to serve.

Attorney Matthew Brownfield represented the bar's owners in front of the beer board Thursday morning. He told the board he was just hired last night and requested more time to meet with his clients before an official hearing.

"This a unique situation with the driver of the vehicle who injured the firefighter having been indicted, I'd like to have time to confer with my clients, to speak with people who worked with them, who may have witnessed what Andrea Payne was doing that day," Brownfield said. 
"We would like to have more time to prepare, to obtain witnesses from the sports bar if necessary and we'd like to talk to Ms. Payne but she's represented by counsel so I don't know if that's going to be possible at all."
The grand jury indicted Payne last week on charges of DUI, vehicular assault and leaving the scene of an accident.

Police say she hit CFD Lieutenant Larry O'Rear as he was working a crash February 1 on East Brainerd Road.

The driver did not stop and O'Rear suffered serious injuries.

Fanatics will be back before the beer board March 5 for an official hearing

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CHATTANOOGA FIREFIGHTER HIT BY CAR 

UPDATE: Chattanooga police revealed more details about the incident on Monday.
They say Firefighter Lieutenant Lawrence Orear was helping direct traffic in the 7900 block of East Brainerd Road at a traffic crash which happened between the Burger King and Hardee's restaurants.

Witnesses tell police Orear was standing on the double yellow line safely in the utility lane area, flagging west bound traffic.

That's when a red Mercedes driven by Andrea L. Payne came on the scene. She was heading east, and did not see the firefighter. She struck him, sending him over the passenger side of her vehicle.

Police say charges for Payne are pending.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A Chattanooga Firefighter is rushed to the hospital after being hit by a car Sunday night.

Chattanooga Fire Department Spokesperson Bruce Garner says the firefighter was hit while working an accident on East Brainerd Road.

Garner identified the firefighter as Lt. Larry O'Rear.

O'Rear is said to be in serious but stable condition. The driver was taken into custody.