Former Rep. Durham arrested on drunken driving charges
Police arrested former state Rep. Jeremy Durham (R-Franklin) in Nashville’s downtown tourist district over the weekend on charges of drunken driving, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest.
Durham was ousted from the House in 2016 after the Attorney General’s Office issued a report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against 22 women. According to an officer’s affidavit, Durham was involved in a crash at the corner of 1st Avenue and Broadway just after 11 p.m. on Saturday. When police arrived at the scene, Durham allegedly tried to walk away and pulled away from being placed in handcuffs.
When they searched Durham, police said they found a metal grinder containing marijuana residue. They also said Durham had slurred speech, dilated pupils, was unsteady on his feet, had a strong odor of residue on his breath. Durham declined to participate in a sobriety test so officials requested a warrant to take a blood sample.
Durham was released on bond at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.
Hargett charged with DUI after Bonnaroo visit
Secretary of State Tre Hargett has been charged with drunken driving after attending the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Coffee County.
Hargett was at the event from Friday afternoon through around 11:30 p.m. when he was stopped by Tullahoma police. He was given a blood test and charged with DUI.
“Driving Under the Influence is a serious matter, and I regret the circumstances that led to my arrest,” Hargett said in a statement. “I respect law enforcement and will trust the legal process as we move forward.”
Hargett is a former state House minority leader who was elected by a joint convention of the legislature to his first four-year term as secretary of state in 2009.
