Fullerton City Manager Joe Felz has taken a leave of absence following an election night car crash that had many in the city abuzz last week. The city council will hire an independent investigator to probe the details of the wreck, while Human Resources Director Gretchen Beatty assumes city manager duties on a temporary basis.
The incident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 9 when the vehicle Felz was driving struck a curb and got lodged on the sidewalk at 255 W. Glenwood Ave. A woman who witnessed the accident said Felz attempted to drive away but that his car kept getting caught on the curb. Eventually he broke free and drove a short distance before being stopped by police.
A sergeant performed a field sobriety test, but did not believe the city manager to be legally impaired. Felz had attended an election party that night and smelled of alcohol, according to a police memo.