The City of Fairbanks chief of staff has been charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident, according to a statement released by the police department and city.
Jeffrey James Jacobson, 59, has been placed on administrative leave "until further notice," officials said.
"Out of respect for Jeff, the mayor is waiting until the investigation is complete to make a determination on how to move forward, and that's why he's on leave now," said the city's Human Resource Director Angela Foster-Snow.
A concerned tipster called the Fairbanks Police Department shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday. A vehicle reportedly had been speeding, traveling west onto the Mitchell Expressway from the Richardson Highway, according to the statement.
"The witness further indicated the vehicle was being driven erratically, had struck several road signs as well as a light pole," the statement says.
Foster-Snow said it is her understanding the 911 caller was an off-duty police officer.
Police pulled over the 2005 Kia Sportage on the expressway near the Airport Way off ramp, and Jacobson was arrested and charged.
Online court records indicated both of Jacobson's charges are misdemeanors. He was released pending an initial court appearance on Tuesday at the Fairbanks Courthouse.
The police department and Jacobson came forward and informed the city of the charges, Foster-Snow said. She said she will be serving as acting chief of staff.
Jacobson became the Golden Heart City's chief of staff in January. He'd already had a long career in public service, working as the Fairbanks North Star Borough chief of staff for six years and mayor of North Pole for nearly eight. He was also a local teacher for 27 years.