SALT LAKE CITY -- Lt. Fred Swain, commander of the Utah Highway Patrol's DUI unit, has been cited for driving under the influence of alcohol after crashing his unmarked police cruiser into a concrete barrier.

Swain was westbound on Bangerter Highway in Draper early last Friday when he veered off the right shoulder, overcorrected and hit a jersey barrier that separates the east- and westbound lanes, UHP Lt. Doug McCleve said Thursday.

UHP was the agency called to the crash, but it turned the investigation over to Draper police. Law enforcement agencies commonly ask another agency to investigate incidents involving their own personnel.

Swain said he fell asleep at the wheel, but officers suspected he had been drinking, Draper police Sgt. Scott Peck said.

Swain initially refused to submit to a Breathalyzer test until two UHP captains talked to him, Peck said. The test showed that Swain's blood-alcohol level was nearly 0.12 percent. Utah's legal limit is 0.08 percent.

Swain was taken to the Draper police station, where he refused to answer officers' questions, Peck said.

Following the questioning, Swain was issued a citation and released, and was driven home by a UHP captain.

Contacted by KSL on Thursday, Swain said it was not in his best interest to make any statements.

The Draper sergeant, who knows Swain, said the incident was "one really crazy out-of-character mistake" that may cost Swain his career.

Swain was immediately placed on paid administrative leave while UHP conducts an internal investigation.

"Our administration is deeply disappointed and extremely embarrassed because of the trust put in all of our officers," McCleve said.

The incident "goes against all that we stand for and represent," McCleve said. Swain could be terminated, he said, and a decision likely will be made next week by state Public Safety Commissioner Robert Flowers.

Asked why the UHP did not inform the news media about the incident earlier, McCleve said, "My job is not to do your job."

Prior to serving as commander of the DUI team, Swain was in charge of the UHP's Criminal Interdiction Team and took part in numerous highway drug busts.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D4.