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Tuesday, Feb 16 2010 06:40 PM

Firefighter suspected of driving drunk in deadly crash is recovering

BY JASON KOTOWSKI, Californian staff writer jkotowski@bakersfield.com

The condition of the off-duty Kern County firefighter police say was driving drunk in a crash that killed a woman earlier this month was upgraded to good over the weekend, Fresno Community Regional Medical Center officials said.

Bakersfield police are waiting for Mitchell Green's toxicology results before submitting a complaint on felony drunken driving and vehicular manslaughter charges, Sgt. Mary DeGeare said. It could take as long as six weeks before the results are in.

Green's condition was upgraded to good on Sunday. He had been in critical condition following the Feb. 2 crash that killed 41-year-old Michelle Maxwell and injured her 15-year-old daughter, Michaela.

Green, 30, ran a red light at Panama Lane and Ashe Road, smashing into the passenger side of Maxwell's car, police said. The pickup then slammed into a power pole and caught fire and other motorists pulled Green from the wreck.

County Counsel Theresa A. Goldner said Green is on a medical leave of absence from the fire department.

Green has been a firefighter for three years and was promoted to engineer 13 months ago, Fire Department spokesman Sean Collins has said.

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