PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Gulfport firefighter arrested early Thursday morning for driving under the influence has been placed on administrative leave.
The Gulfport Fire Department said 24-year-old Scott Miller was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation after his arrest.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said around 12:58 a.m., deputies watched Miller driving a Ford 150 pickup truck recklessly through a residential area near Pasadena Avenue and Park Street, going over 100 mph.
Deputies said when they made contact with Miller, he exhibited multiple signs of impairment, including smelling of alcohol and bloodshot, glassy eyes.
Miller refused to perform field sobriety tests, deputies said and also declined to provide a breath sample.
He was arrested and charged with one count of driving under the influence and taken to the Pinellas County Jail. Miller has been a firefighter with the Gulfport Fire Department since April 4, 2023, but was off-duty during the time of the incident.
"If there had just been a trooper up there, maybe this whole thing could have been avoided."
A judge in Florida is sharing the story of his son's death in hopes of helping the Florida Highway Patrol trooper shortage.