Friend Of Drowned Southfield Fire Chief Admits He Was Intoxicated While Manning Boat

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- A 55-year-old man had been drinking while operating a boat that a suburban Detroit fire chief jumped from before drowning.

The Detroit Free Press reports Friday that William Jeffrey Jr. of Troy pleaded guilty during a Thursday arraignment to misdemeanor operating a vessel while intoxicated.

[MORE: Body Of Missing Southfield Fire Chief Found In Lake St. Clair]

Jeffrey faces a Sept. 16 substance abuse evaluation in New Baltimore District Court and Sept. 29 sentencing.

Southfield Fire Chief Keith Rowley jumped July 31 from the 40-foot vessel into Lake St. Clair off Harrison Township to retrieve a hat. He wasn't wearing a life jacket and his body was found a few days later.