Columbia County deputy arrested on DUI charge following off-duty crash

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested Friday after a warrant was issued stemming from an off-duty crash in Orange County earlier this month.

Deputy Michael Rooney was arrested in Columbia County on a charge of driving under the influence. The charge is connected to a single-vehicle crash with injuries that occurred earlier in July in Orange County. Rooney was off duty at the time and driving his personal vehicle.

The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash and issued the warrant following the completion of its investigation. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said questions regarding the details of the crash should be directed to FHP.

Rooney has been placed on leave without pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

“This agency takes this situation seriously, and we believe in transparency when one of our own is taken into custody,” the agency said in a statement. The sheriff’s office added it is “thankful that everyone involved is physically okay” and will provide additional information as appropriate as the matter proceeds.