Delaware Co. Deputies Accused Of Misconduct Fired - WCMH: News, Weather, and Sports for Columbus, Ohio

Delaware Co. Deputies Accused Of Misconduct Fired

Two Delaware County deputies were fired this week as a result of their actions relating to the death of a suspected drunk driver.

Delaware County deputies Derek Beggs and Christopher Hughes, along with an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper, were accused of dropping off a suspected drunk driver at a Taco Bell and leaving him there.

The suspected drunk driver, Uriel Juarez Popoca, later wandered into traffic, where he was hit and killed.

Dash camera video from July 28 shows Popoca being put into a Delaware County sheriff's cruiser. He was found inside of his truck, in the median on Interstate 71, according to officials.

Authorities say Popoca's blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

The deputies and trooper said that Popoca spoke very little English and they had hoped someone at the Taco Bell could interpret for him.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office said Beggs and Hughes received letters of separation Thursday night, effective immediately.

The pair had been on administrative leave since August.

Beggs and Trooper Sean Carpenter were found guilty on two counts each of dereliction of duty on Dec. 18, 2012.

Hughes pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of failure to assist a law enforcement officer on Dec. 13, 2012.