Three DUI Arrests of School Personnel at Separate TN School Districts in Last 3 Months

MADD Tennessee is very alarmed to see a third arrest in a three month time period for DUI involving personnel at a Tennessee school. The latest one involved a Greene County bus driver who crashed on January 8, 2020, with five children on board, flipping the bus on its side. Thankfully, no one was physically injured in the wreck. The driver was charged with DUI and simple possession.

Last month, a Riverdale High School assistant principal was charged with DUI and in November, a School Resource Officer was called to investigate a potentially intoxicated teacher in the parking lot of Station Camp High School. The math teacher was arrested on charges of DUI.

Driving impaired is a 100% preventable crime. We are disappointed to see anyone make the choice to drink and drive or drive after using drugs. To see three separate incidents involving school personnel with DUI arrests is extremely disturbing. As authority figures, school officials may be seen as role models by their students. MADD is calling on our school systems to please take action now to ensure that employees understand this important fact and how their personal choices can impact and influence student behaviors now and in the future. If you would be interested in a presentation for employees with a victim’s story, please contact us at [email protected].

MADD also encourages parents to use this opportunity to talk with their children about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving. We have a free parent handbook available at https://www.madd.org/the-solution/power-of-parents/#resources.