13 WTHRLocal priest arrested for DUI

Local priest arrested for DUI

A priest for 26 years, Father Ted Rothrock was head of the Carmel deanery, pastor at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, and president of Guerin Catholic High School. It was the latter post he resigned Tuesday two days after his arrest for driving under the influence.

"I think his concern was just maybe an example to set for the students," said Father Dale Ehrman, Guerin Catholic High School.

An officer stopped Fr. Rothrock at 10600 Gray Road for a traffic violation Sunday night after 11:00 pm. The officer suspected that Rothrock had been drinking. Rothrock consented to a field sobriety test, which he failed.

Rothrock was taken to the Hamilton County jail for OWI. His blood alcohol content was .11.

Fr. Ehrman was vice president at Guerin until Tuesday, when he was asked to take over as president.

"I was very surprised," Ehrman said. "I think it's a reminder to all of us that we have to be very careful if we've had even one drink."

At Guerin High school, news hadn't yet reached students by the end of school Tuesday. But their parents and faculty were notified by email from the school which read in part, "it has been decided that Fr. Ted will undergo an in-patient evaluation in the coming weeks."