POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — A first responder with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue is the subject of an “open and active internal affairs investigation” following an early-December DUI arrest, officials confirmed to Local 10 News on Tuesday.

Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Capt. Brian Vengoechea on Dec. 7 after a traffic stop in the 1800 block of North Federal Highway in Pompano Beach.

A BSO arrest report states that just after 10 p.m., a deputy saw Vengoechea, 41, of Deerfield Beach, driving erratically in a Ford F-350 beginning near Northeast 10th Street, at one point driving over a right lane divider.

Authorities said after they pulled them over, they noticed a “strong odor” of alcohol.

According to the report, Vengoechea, having “difficulty completing his sentences,” told the deputy that he was “having problems with his wife and was just trying to get home.”

The report states that Vengoechea gave the deputy a BSO identification number and later told the deputy he worked for BSO.

Authorities said he refused field sobriety and breathalyzer tests.

Deputies arrested him on charges and citations of first-offense DUI, refusal to submit to DUI testing, failure to use due care and disobeying or avoiding a traffic device.

A BSO spokesperson said Vengoechea “is on restrictive administrative assignment” following his arrest and amid the internal investigation.

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