Country Singer Sam Hunt Arrested on Charges of Drunk Driving in East Nashville
Country singer Sam Hunt was arrested on Thursday, November 21, in the morning after allegedly driving the wrong way down an East Nashville road while drunk. In Touch confirmed the performer was arrested for a DUI and open-container violation.
Local news channel WJHL-TV first reported the arrest. Metro police confirmed the charges with In Touch and said the investigation remains open, and the “Body Like a Back Road” singer has a court appearance related to the incident on January 17, 2020, at 10:30 a.m.
A court affidavit revealed Hunt was allegedly seen driving south in northbound lanes, and when officers pursued the singer, he was having “difficulty staying in the lane of travel and crossed the center divide several times before a stop was initiated.”
When officers made contact with the country music star, the document states that allegedly, “There was an obvious odor consistent with alcoholic beverage coming from the defendant as well as red bloodshot and watery eyes.” The document stated there were also two empty beers in the seat next to Hunt.
Hunt had trouble even giving his identification to the officers who stopped him and instead tried to hand over a credit card and his passport, even though his driver’s license was in sight and on his lap, according to the document. Hunt allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol “recently” and was the only individual in the vehicle when it was stopped.
Hunt “showed numerous signs of impairment on all tests conducted,” and after he consented to a breath test, he ultimately blew a final result of .173. In Tennessee, a person is prohibited from “driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle” if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or greater or if the person is “’under the influence’ of any intoxicant, marijuana, controlled substance, controlled substance analog, drug, substance affecting the central nervous system, or combination thereof.”
Hunt’s bond was set at $2,500. He has already been released from jail, according to video from local ABC affiliate WKRN-TV News 2.
The singer’s other hits include “House Party” and “Drinkin’ Too Much.” Hunt is well-known in the country music scene and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including one American Music Award and one CMT Music Award. He’s also been nominated for Billboard Music Awards and Grammy Awards.
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