Tennessee Deputy Fired after DUI Arrest, Multiple Charges
A western Tennessee sheriff’s deputy was fired earlier this month after being arrested for drunken driving and other charges following a traffic accident in his police cruiser. Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputy Nathan Williamson, 26, was driving his issued police car on New Year’s Eve when the accident occurred.
According to authorities, police were conducting a DUI checkpoint in the northbound lane of Highway 51 South near Joe Joyner Road when they saw a two-vehicle accident happen in the left lane. After ascertaining that no one had been injured in the crash, police noticed that one vehicle belonged to a Tipton County Sheriff’s Officer. Inside the vehicle was Mr. Williamson and his six-year-old son, who was unrestrained and sitting in the front seat.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol was called to the scene where they administered a blood alcohol test to Mr. Williamson. He was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence, child endangerment, violation of the child restraint law, failure to exercise due care and possession of a firearm while intoxicated. Mr. Williamson had been employed as a Tipton County deputy since June 2014 and was still in the probationary period for new officers.
The Tipton County Sheriff went on record as stating that Mr. Williamson was no longer employed as a deputy, and that he was “disappointed at the total disrespect of safety for the citizens of Tipton County.” Mr. Williamson is expected back in court on February 6.
Tennessee Child Endangerment Law
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-403 states that the crime of child endangerment occurs when a person is pulled over for driving under the influence (DUI) while being accompanied by a minor under 18 years old. It is a Class D felony offense if the child suffers serious injury and is a Class B felony if the child dies.
The penalties for child endangerment include two to 12 years in prison if the child is injured and between eight and 30 years in prison if the child dies. The sentence is dependent on things like the amount of damage suffered and any history of DUI or other crimes. In addition, drivers face all of the same penalties of a DUI, which includes fines, license revocation, probation, community service, and a potential civil lawsuit from anyone, or their family, that was injured or killed as a result of the drunken driving.
Contact a Nashville Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Drunk driving has the potential to impact the person sitting behind the wheel, passengers, and anyone else that is around the car while the driver is inebriated. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as the result of a drunk driver in the Nashville area, let the experienced personal injury lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC help. Call or contact the office today for a free and confidential consultation of your case.