From the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department
On 03/09/2025 at approximately 8:32 PM deputies from the Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the
12000 blk of E Legal Tender Rd in regards to a single vehicle traffic accident with no reported injuries.
Upon deputies’ arrival the vehicle involved, an Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department pickup truck, was found lying on its side in the driveway of a residence.
The driver of the vehicle, Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Nienaber 67 yo of Elizabethtown, was found to be entrapped inside the vehicle. Nienaber was able to be removed from the vehicle by responding fire department personnel.
According to witnesses who observed the accident the departmental pickup truck was driving emergent with activated lights and sirens before it left the roadway and rolled onto its side. At the time of the accident Nienaber was believed to be responding to a structure fire on S 750 E.
During the course of the accident investigation evidence of alcohol impairment was detected. As the investigation continued it was determined that Nienaber was alleged to appear intoxicated, he was then transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for a blood draw. He was then arrested on the charge involving an allegation of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated and booked into the Bartholomew County Jail. He has since bonded out on a $2,500.00 bond.
The report has been forwarded to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for further review.
This is a preliminary investigation. All persons are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.