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Melbourne airport police officer fired after DUI, hit-and-run crash while in work vehicle

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Published  May 16, 2025 12:22am EDT
Brevard County
FOX 35 Orlando
Melbourne airport police officer fired after DUI crash

Melbourne airport police officer fired after DUI crash

A Melbourne Orlando International Airport police officer has been fired after allegedly driving drunk, crashing a work vehicle and leaving the scene, officials said. Patrick White was arrested Tuesday after police say he rear-ended another vehicle off Malabar Road and Babcock Street while off duty and under the influence.

The Brief

    • A probationary airport police officer in Melbourne was fired after allegedly driving drunk and crashing a work vehicle.
    • Patrick White was arrested Tuesday and admitted to being intoxicated, according to police.
    • He faces DUI and hit-and-run charges and has since bonded out of jail.

MELBOURNE, Fla. - A Melbourne Orlando International Airport police officer has been fired after allegedly driving drunk, crashing a work vehicle, and leaving the scene, officials said. 

 Airport police officer fired

What we know:

Patrick White, a newly hired officer at Melbourne Orlando International Airport, was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly driving drunk and crashing a work vehicle while off duty. 

The crash occurred near Malabar Road and Babcock Street. Witnesses flagged erratic behavior, and officers used video evidence to identify and track him down to a nearby parking lot. 

White later admitted to being intoxicated, authorities said. He was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear how White was able to access and operate a work vehicle while off duty and unauthorized. 

The backstory:

White had only been with the Melbourne Orlando International Airport Police Department for less than three weeks and was still under probation. He was operating a work vehicle without authorization at the time of the incident, according to airport officials. His employment has since been terminated, and the police department has returned the vehicle.

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Melbourne Police Department on May 15, 2025.

Brevard CountyMelbourneCrime and Public Safety