“Doin’ 15 in a 30, [he] ain’t in no hurry; [he’s gunna] take it slow just as fast as [he] can.”
For Sam Hunt, his ‘Body Like A Backroad’ and ‘Drinkin’ Too Much’ tracks definitely have new meaning today following WKRN’s report that the CMA country artist was arrested early Thursday morning after driving drunk in East Nashville and possessing an open container. Definitely not the type of house party you want to attend.
According to the news station, the arrest warrant stated that Hunt had a blood alcohol level of .173—nearly double the legal limit of Tennessee’s .08 limit. He was booked on charges of driving under the influence and having an open container in his car.
Officers found Hunt after responding to a call of a vehicle driving the wrong way down the northbound lanes of Ellington Parkway near Ben Allen Road. Upon the officers’ arrival, Hunt was swerving in and out of his lane—with bloodshot eyes and reeking of “an obvious odor consistent with alcoholic beverage” as officers quickly noticed two empty cans of beer in the passenger seat.
Hunt, according to police, was the only individual in the vehicle. He agreed to a field sobriety test, quickly demonstrating “numerous signs of impairment,” which police revealed was recorded on the officer’s car dash camera.
Under Tennessee law, there is mandatory jail time for first-time DUI offenders. At a minimum, offenders will get 48 hours in jail, unless his or her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .20 or higher, by which case the penalty increases to 7 days minimum. Hunt will most likely have his license revoked for one year and will need to attend an alcohol and drug treatment program—if he is convicted.
The country artist was released on a $2,500 bond early Thursday morning and is due back in court on January 17. Just last month, Hunt performed at CMT’s Artists of the Year awards show, performing a beautiful rendition of Reba McEntire’s hit single, “Fancy.”
While Grit Daily is an avid Sam Hunt fan, there is never an excuse for driving impaired and/or under the influence.
