Deputy Matthew Sasser's Patrol Car

A Wayne County sheriff's deputy has been fired following his arrest for driving while impaired after crashing his patrol car into a guardrail in Johnston County.

Sheriff Carey Aaron Winders says Deputy Matthew Sasser was fired shortly after the accident yesterday morning. Sasser's blood-alcohol level was reported to be point-oh-eight, the level at which drivers are considered to be impaired under state law.

The state Highway Patrol says after Sasser's car was wrecked, Johnston County sheriff's deputies found him sitting on a porch down the road. The patrol says he had been hanging out at the house with a friend who's a state trooper and who's being questioned about his role in the accident.

Winders says Sasser had permission to drive his patrol car home but not to cross county lines unless he's assisting other law enforcement officers.