PAUPACK TOWNSHIP, PA — A volunteer fire deputy chief is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly crashing a department tanker truck while under the influence of alcohol with his 4-year-old daughter in the vehicle. State police have charged 30-year-old Shane Michael Farrell, of Hawley, in connection with the December 20, 2025, incident on the Owego Turnpike.
According to the criminal complaint, Farrell was responding to a house fire in Lakeville when he lost control of the White Mills Fire Department tanker while navigating a turn. The vehicle struck a utility pole and landed in a ditch, causing a power outage that affected nearly 70 homes and businesses for over 24 hours. Before law enforcement arrived at the scene, a family member picked up Farrell and the young girl and transported them to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, including a laceration to the child's hand.
During an interview at the hospital, a state trooper noted the smell of alcohol and reported that Farrell admitted to drinking earlier that day. A subsequent blood test revealed Farrell's blood alcohol concentration was 0.116%, well above the legal limit for operating a vehicle. Investigators also discovered the 4-year-old had been riding in the middle seat of the apparatus without an approved booster seat, leading to additional child restraint violations.
The White Mills Volunteer Fire Department issued a stern statement following the charges, emphasizing that they strictly prohibit minors from riding in department vehicles and do not condone drinking while on duty. The department confirmed that disciplinary action has already been taken against Farrell, who served as a deputy chief, and that they are reviewing internal policies to prevent similar incidents. Farrell is currently facing charges of driving under the influence, recklessly endangering another person, and various traffic offenses, with a preliminary hearing set for mid-February.