Alameda Co. deputy arrested on suspicion of DUI after totaling 'BBQ' truck
LIVERMORE, Calif. - An Alameda County sheriff's deputy has been arrested on suspicion of driving a county-owned vehicle known for carrying around BBQs while under the influence of alcohol.
Deputy Michael Ziller was then released to the hospital to be treated for his injuries, stemming from a crash in Livermore, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said that Ziller was driving a Ford F-450 truck at about 6:40 p.m. on Nov. 10 on westbound Interstate 580, west of Greenville Road, when he rear-ended a tractor-trailer.
CHP Officer Tyler Hahn said the crash caused major damage to the Ford. The CHP said the other driver wasn't injured. The CHP did not provide the full incident report, only a synopsis.
Ziller was taken to Eden Hospital, where an officer determined he had been driving drunk. Ziller's injuries were described as moderate.
Sources inside the department said the Ford, which is a standard utility vehicle, is part of what's nicknamed by insiders as the "BRU Unit," which stands for the "BBQ Response Unit."
Ziller worked in that unit.
Duties include cooking BBQ for events, as well as being called out to fix fences, build sheds and other ancillary duties. The truck carried the BBQ on the back of a trailer. Sources also said that Ziller was returning home from a funeral when the crash occurred.
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Photos obtained by KTVU show that the Ford appears totaled, a mangled wreck of metal, and an air bag deployed one the driver's side.
As of Monday, Ziller had not been charged with any crime, according to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
In an interview, Capt. Ray Kelly said that Ziller is not back at work.
Kelly said that the department is awaiting toxicology reports to get an accurate picture of Ziller's blood alcohol level at the time.
With any DUI arrest, Kelly said an Internal Affairs investigation is automatically launched.
He added that discipline for this type of behavior varies on a case-by-case basis. Deputies convicted of DUI misdemeanors can still work for law enforcement, but internal discipline can range from work transfers to termination.
"It's up to the sheriff to decide," Kelly said.
The new sheriff-elect, Yesenia Sanchez, told KTVU on Monday that she found the DUI arrest "very concerning."
In general, Sanchez said, any type of DUI arrest and conviction means a deputy will face "some level of discipline."
"I will follow up to make sure this is handled appropriately," she said.
Sanchez formally takes office in January.
The CHP arrested Alameda County sheriff's deputy Mike Ziller on suspicion of DUI on Nov. 10, 2022.
The CHP and Caltrans inspect the area where Alameda County sheriff's deputy crashed a county vehicle on Nov. 10, 2022
One part of the "BRU" unit was not damaged in the Nov. 10, 2022, crash in Livermore.
A "BRU" unit is put on a tow truck after Alameda County sheriff's deputy Mike Ziller crashed it on Nov. 10, 2022
Alameda County deputy Mike Ziller was driving this county Ford when he crashed in Livermore on Nov. 10, 2022. Photo: Source granted anonymity by KTVU
Alameda County deputy Mike Ziller was driving this county Ford when he crashed in Livermore on Nov. 10, 2022. Photo: Source granted anonymity by KTVU
Alameda County deputy Mike Ziller was driving this county Ford when he crashed in Livermore on Nov. 10, 2022. Photo: Source granted anonymity by KTVU
Alameda County deputy Mike Ziller was driving this county Ford when he crashed in Livermore on Nov. 10, 2022. Photo: Source granted anonymity by KTVU
Air bag deployed in a Ford driven by Alameda County sheriff's deputy Mike Ziller on Nov. 10, 2022. Photo: Source granted anonymity by KTVU
Lisa Fernandez is a reporter for KTVU. Email Lisa at lisa.fernandez@fox.com or call her at 510-874-0139. Or follow her on Twitter @ljfernandez