The Alameda Co. deputy has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after totaling a barbecue truck
Alameda County Assemblyman Mike Ziller was driving this County Ford when he crashed in Livermore on November 10, 2022. Photo: Source whose anonymity has been granted by KTVU
LIVERMORE, California. — An Alameda County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on suspicion of driving a county barbecue truck while under the influence.
Deputy Michael Ziller was then taken to the hospital to treat his injuries, which he sustained after an accident in Livermore, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said Ziller was driving a Ford F-450 truck on westbound Interstate 580 west of Greenville Road around 6:40 p.m. on Nov. 10 when he struck a tractor-trailer.
CHP officer Tyler Hahn said the accident caused extensive damage to the Ford. The CHP said the other driver was not injured. The CHP did not provide the full incident report, only a summary.
Ziller was taken to Eden Hospital, where an officer determined he had been driving while intoxicated. Ziller’s injuries were described as moderate.
Sources within the department said the Ford is part of the so-called “BRU Unit,” which stands for “BBQ Response Unit.”
Ziller worked in this unit.
Tasks include barbecuing for events, as well as repairing fences, building sheds, and other side quests. Sources also said that Ziller was returning home from a funeral when the crash happened.
MORE: 47 Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputies Fail on Mental Health Assessments; relieved of duties
Photos obtained by KTVU show the Ford appears to be totally destroyed, a mangled wreck of metal.
As of Monday, Ziller has not been charged with a crime, according to the Alameda County Attorney’s Office.
In an interview, Lt. Ray Kelly that Ziller will be off duty as of Monday.
Kelly said the department is awaiting toxicology reports to get an accurate picture of Ziller’s blood alcohol levels at the time.
Kelly said any arrest for DUI automatically opens an internal affairs investigation.
He added that the discipline for this type of behavior varies from case to case. MPs convicted of DUI offenses can still work for law enforcement, but internal discipline can range from work transfers to termination.
“It’s up to the sheriff to make that decision,” Kelly said.
New sheriff-elect Yesenia Sanchez told the KTVU Monday that she found the arrest for drunk driving “very concerning.”
In general, Sanchez said, any type of DUI arrest and conviction means a congressman will face “a certain level of discipline.”
“I will follow up to ensure this is handled appropriately,” she said.
Sanchez will officially take office in January.
Alameda County Assemblyman Mike Ziller was driving this County Ford when he crashed in Livermore on November 10, 2022. Photo: Source whose anonymity has been granted by KTVU
Alameda County Assemblyman Mike Ziller was driving this County Ford when he crashed in Livermore on November 10, 2022. Photo: Source whose anonymity has been granted by KTVU
Alameda County Assemblyman Mike Ziller was driving this County Ford when he crashed in Livermore on November 10, 2022. Photo: Source whose anonymity has been granted by KTVU
Airbag deployed in a Ford driven by Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Ziller on November 10, 2022. Photo: Source grants anonymity through 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
