Trooper arrests Pinellas County deputy for DUI

TAMPA, Fla. - A Pinellas County deputy has been terminated after he was arrested for DUI Saturday night. 

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, a state trooper responded to a traffic crash on I-275 near Fletcher Avenue shortly after 9:30 p.m., where 33-year-old Christopher Cook sideswiped another vehicle.

The trooper says Cook showed signs of impairment that included slurred speech, glossy eyes, a strong odor of alcohol from his clothing and breath, and difficulty describing actions that led to the accident.

FHP states Cook did poorly on field sobriety tests. 

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After failing the field sobriety test, Cook was taken to the Orient Road Jail, where he refused a breathalyzer test.

Cook was charged with one count of driving under the influence with property damage or personal injury.

There were no injuries as a result of the crash.

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PCSO says Cook was hired by the agency on September 22, 2014, and worked as a deputy in the patrol operations bureau.

Cook was immediately fired following the arrest, which is consistent with Pinellas County Sheriff's Office policy.