DWI Charge Against EMS Chief Downgraded

A drunken driving charge filed against the Gloucester Township EMS Alliance chief last year has been dismissed.

Thomas Eden Sr. was found guilty of reckless driving on April 6, according to municipal court records, in connection with the widely reported incident that led to him being charged with driving while intoxicated and use or being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

The DWI charge ultimately was amended to reckless driving, to which Eden entered a guilty plea.

“I know I did not do anything wrong,” Eden said in a statement, “and I don’t want this to change all the positive the EMS Alliance does for the community.”

Eden, of Erial, reportedly responded to the scene of a police standoff with a suicidal man who had barricaded himself in a home on Erial Road the night of Oct. 28 when police officers alleged that he appeared to be intoxicated.

Eden, who had driven an EMS vehicle to the scene, failed a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest, according to reports.

Eden claims he was taking medication prescribed by a doctor for a knee injury at the time. A side effect of that medication is slurred speech, he said. 

Gloucester Township EMS Alliance is an independent ambulance service that serves the township and surrounding communities. It employs roughly 45 local residents.

“We all want to continue to serve the community,” June Pacifico, supervisor of the EMS Alliance, said. “Tom is important to the success of this community.”