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Sub’s top enlisted sailor fired after DUI arrest

The top enlisted sailor on a Pearl Harbor-based nuclear submarine was fired following his arrest on a charge of drunken driving earlier this month.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Savan Patel was relieved as chief of the boat on the USS Louisville on Jan. 5 by sub’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Lee Sisco, due to the loss of confidence in Patel’s ability to serve, according to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force.

Police arrested Patel a day earlier on charge of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

Patel was stopped on Jan. 4 at 9:25 p.m. on the H-1 freeway west near the Kaamilo Street overpass. He posted $500 bail and was released at 11:30 p.m., police said.

His first court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Ewa District Court.

Patel, 32, has been in the Navy for 14 years.

He has served on three Los Angeles-class submarines prior to his assignment to the Louisville and was selected for senior chief petty officer in 2007.

Patel was assigned as chief of the 361-foot nuclear submarine in charge of its 150 enlisted sailors in 2009.

Court records show that Patel has had several traffic violations since being stationed at Pearl Harbor.

He was cited for speeding and operating a mobile device while driving and crossing a broken white line earlier this month; and making an improper turn an intersection in 2007.

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