Everyone understands that Tennessee has some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation. If you or someone you love is facing a drunk driving charge, the best thing to do is to contact an attorney who knows the law and understands how to protect rights, driver’s licenses and freedom.
That is exactly what a Tennessee truck driver who recently made the news should do. The 39-year-old reportedly got his tractor-trailer rig stuck across several lanes of highway. When law enforcement arrived and tested him, his blood alcohol content (BAC) registered .214, a police report stated.
In Tennessee, the legal limit is a BAC of .08.
A state Department of Transportation worker apparently called police and reported that a trucker was trying to turn his 18-wheeler around in a highway intersection. But the truck and trailer became stuck, blocking all lanes of traffic, an arrest affidavit stated.
When the truck driver was able to free his vehicle after about 15 minutes, he apparently pulled it to the side of the highway. Arriving officers reported that they smelled alcohol on his breath, his speech was slurred and he had difficulty standing. He was then given a breath test.
The punishment for a person convicted of DUI with a commercial driver’s license (CDL), while driving a commercial vehicle, is career-threatening: their CDL is suspended for a year. If they have a second offense their license can be suspended for at least 10 years – but it can be up to a lifetime suspension.
If you are a Chattanooga trucker facing any of these possible punishments, contact an attorney experienced in DUI defense.
