UPDATE (October 18, 2022):
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Mayor Tom Henry says in a statement released Monday that he will be paying for all of the damages that were a result of a crash that happened while he was driving impaired.
The statement says that “no taxpayer monies will be spent to repair the vehicle I was driving on October 8. Nor will any taxpayer money be spent to repair the other driver’s vehicle.”
The city issued this statement from Mayor Henry Monday afternoon:
On October 9, I publicly apologized to the citizens of Fort Wayne for driving while impaired on October 8.
I am responsible for my actions, admitted my guilt in an Allen County court and accept the consequences for my actions. On October 14, members of City Council submitted specific questions about the incident of October 8, my driving history, and other personal matters. The questions were sent to the City Attorney’s office with others, including the local media, receiving a copy.
I am fully cooperating with the City Attorney and her staff in authoring a reply. Prior to submitting a formal reply, however, I want to make clear that no taxpayer monies will be spent to repair the vehicle I was driving on October 8. Nor will any taxpayer money be spent to repair the other driver’s vehicle. I am paying for all damages associated with the incident.
I have been in communication with the other driver and am working to see that the vehicle is promptly repaired at my cost. As for transportation during my license suspension, I am thankful to family and friends who will transport me to work each day in their personal vehicles.
Where it is appropriate, City employees share rides to events or meetings at which two or more are attending. In my current situation, that may occur from time to time while my license is suspended.
UPDATE (October 11, 2022):
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – New details from several local reports are shedding light on what happened leading up to a crash and subsequent impaired driving arrest of Fort Wayne’s mayor.
According to reporting on obtained court documents, Tom Henry admitted that he had “too many glasses of wine” before getting behind the wheel Saturday night.
Just before 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Mayor Henry was involved in the crash on Old Mill Road that caused serious damage to a City-owned vehicle and to the other vehicle involved.
Henry was arrested at the scene of the wreck and, according to court documents, registered a blood-alcohol level of .152, which is nearly twice the legal limit.
Henry, who is seeking his fifth term in office, pled guilty to the charges against him and is due for sentencing next month under a plea deal that would require random drug and alcohol tests.
ORIGINAL STORY;
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Mayor Tom Henry says he accepts full responsibility for his actions following a crash and drunk driving arrest Saturday night.
The mayor said he made a mistake in getting behind the wheel after a function where he had been drinking.
“I am relieved that no one was hurt in the incident. I want to praise the men and women of the Fort Wayne Police Department who handled this situation with professionalism and followed all of the correct procedures and protocols. I am sorry that I put you in such a situation last evening as I can assure you that I know better.”
The mayor made comments publicly Sunday afternoon following a brief statement from his office that confirmed his arrest for operating while intoxicated early Sunday morning.
According to WPTA, Henry faces three counts of operating while intoxicated and had a blood alcohol content of .152% determined by tests following his arrest.
The legal limit is .08% in the state of Indiana. Driving with a BAC of .15% or higher can subject the driver to an enhanced charge under state law.
This was the initial statement from Mayor Henry’s Office:
“I want to apologize to the residents of Fort Wayne and my family for the poor decision I made to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking at a local function. I accept full responsibility for my actions. I’m relieved that no one was hurt in this incident. The Fort Wayne Police Department handled this situation with professionalism and followed all of the correct procedures and protocols.”
Mayor Tom Henry made public comments Sunday afternoon – saying in part:
“I am terribly embarrassed by the poor decision-making that occurred last evening,” Henry said in the media briefing. “I am sorry that I put our police department in that situation last evening. I knew better… I will be held accountable for those actions in future legal proceedings. I respect our legal process, and I will adhere to decisions made by our court, and I will accept those consequences.”
His office issued the following remarks outlining the mayor’s afternoon press conference:
Good afternoon. Thank you for joining me on a Sunday afternoon.
I am here for a single purpose, and that is to express my heartfelt and sincere apology to all of the citizens of the City of Fort Wayne.
I want to publicly apologize to my wife, Cindy, and children, Ben and Beth, my family, and my staff, for the poor decision I made to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking at a local function.
I accept full responsibility for my actions.
I am relieved that no one was hurt in the incident. I want to praise the men and women of the Fort Wayne Police Department who handled this situation with professionalism and followed all of the correct procedures and protocols. I am sorry that I put you in such a situation last evening as I can assure you that I know better.
I understand and appreciate that you all have many questions about the incident.
Today I am here to apologize for my actions.
Like every other resident of the City of Fort Wayne, I will be held accountable for those actions in future legal proceedings.
I respect the legal process; I will adhere to the legal process; and, I will accept the consequences.
As your Mayor, I will not hide from my actions nor will I make excuses. But today I ask that you please respect my inability to speak to the facts of the matter until I am fairly and appropriately adjudicated like anyone else in this position.
Again, I thank you for coming and wish you a restful Sunday.
You can see the mayor’s full address here