A Friday drive in southeast Nashville ended with handcuffs for a 33-year-old father, after police say he crashed his car with his one-year-old son inside and showed clear signs of intoxication, according to an arrest affidavit. Officers took him into custody at the scene while investigators moved to secure a blood sample, a case that is already raising familiar questions about how Tennessee treats alleged drunk driving when a child is in the car.
Metro Nashville Police officers responded to a single-vehicle crash near Lebanon Pike and Lynmead Drive and found 33-year-old Matthew Tabb at 1907 Lebanon Pike, the affidavit states. Tabb smelled strongly of alcohol, had slurred speech and bloodshot, watery eyes, and told officers he had three to four drinks of tequila and was on his way to pick up another juvenile from school, according to the report. A witness told investigators that Tabb had been swerving before the wreck and helped remove the infant from the vehicle. Police obtained a blood-search warrant and booked Tabb on a DUI charge, as reported by WSMV.
How Tennessee Law Handles DUIs With Kids in the Car
Under Tennessee law, having a minor in the vehicle can ratchet up the consequences of a DUI case. State materials for prosecutors explain that the presence of a person under 18 can trigger child-endangerment enhancements that add mandatory fines or jail time, according to Tennessee Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutors. Tennessee statutes also require judges to order ignition-interlock devices in cases where the impaired driver was accompanied by a minor, a requirement outlined in national summaries of interlock laws by the NCSL.
What Happens Next
Tabb remains charged with DUI, and the criminal case is expected to turn on the results of the blood test and any additional counts investigators decide to pursue. The case is still under investigation, and officials have not released further details about court scheduling or booking information, according to WSMV.
