Category Archives: DUI

An impaired driver cost so many, so much; Today we honor, remember Brentwood Police Officer Destin Legieza

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It has been two years since a drunk driver stole the life of Brentwood Police Officer Destin Legieza. The loss that so many feel after Destin was killed in such a violent and avoidable way will never overshadow the joy that he brought into the lives of those who knew him.

A jury convicted the drunk driver. She is currently behind bars, serving time in prison.

While we remember Officer Destin Legieza, let’s commit to one another to honor his life, his legacy, and his family by our committed intolerance for impaired driving.

Booze It & Lose It; 
Lose your license, lose your freedom, lose your life
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Franklin Police announce zero-tolerance DUI detection & enforcement

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The Franklin Police Department has identified an increase in impaired drivers, and Chief Deborah Faulkner is announcing a zero-tolerance enforcement effort to combat the issue.

“We will have a special unit of officers checking area bars, parking lots, and our streets, and our officers aim to stop anyone who has decided to break the law and drive drunk,” said Chief Faulkner. “DUI suspects will be arrested and taken to jail. We want them off our streets before they hurt or kill someone.”

The average DUI, with fines, court costs, and attorney fees, can cost an offender as much as $10,000. Franklin Police say that cost, however, pales in comparison to someone being injured or killed by an impaired driver.

As part of this enforcement effort, officers will also be checking area bars who are overserving their customers, which is a violation of their license and the law.

Anyone who sees someone who may be impaired getting behind the wheel is urged to call police. That number in Franklin is (615) 794-2513.

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Franklin Police Officer assaulted while arresting drunk driver

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Nikolas Sowden
Age: 38
Dawsonville, GA

Shortly after midnight, Wednesday, an officer on patrol spotted a vehicle blocking the road at Baker’s Bridge at Carothers. The driver, 38-year-old Nikolas Sowden, had fallen asleep at the wheel. Officers determined that he was impaired, and arrested him.

Sowden’s passenger, 31-year-old Eion Graham was also impaired. After becoming belligerent with officers who were attempting to arrest the driver, Graham himself was arrested.

Eion Graham
Age: 31
Baltimore, MD

During the ordeal, Sowden, the driver, attacked the officer, telling him, “I’m gonna [explicative] you up,” before struggling with the officer and then kicking the officer in the head. Thankfully, the officer was not seriously hurt.

Sowden, charged with DUI, Obstructing Traffic, Resisting Arrest, and Assault on a First Responder, remains jailed on the $5,000 bond that was set by the Magistrate.

Graham, charged with Public Intoxication, remains behind bars on a $1,000 bond. Both are due in court on July 7.

Drive Drunk, Get Nailed.
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22-1801

Drunk driver held after second DUI

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Taylor Reynolds
Age: 23
Spring Hill, TN

A 23-year-old Spring Hill man remains behind bars after being arrested for his second DUI early Sunday morning.

Officers stopped Taylor Reynolds after they saw him weaving across several lanes of traffic on I-65 near Peytonsville Rd. at 3:38, Sunday morning. This after concerned citizens called in to report that he was driving erratically.

Reynolds was arrested for (1) his second DUI, (2) Driving on a Suspended License, and (3) Reckless Driving, after officers determined that he was impaired.

Reynolds remains jailed on the $14,000 bond set by the Magistrate. He is due in court on June 23.

Drive Drunk, Get Nailed
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22-1567

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the FPD; Increased DUI patrols have been planned to help keep Franklin safe

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Extra Franklin Police Officers are hitting the streets to help keep citizens safe this St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

Officers are working overtime today to combat impaired driving, so if you plan on doing a little celebrating, you’ll want to be sure your plans include a designated driver.

Booze It & Lose It
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Impaired driver arrested for 5th DUI

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Dylan Lankford
Age: 30
Mount Juliet, TN

Dylan Lankford, 30, of Mount Juliet remains jailed on a $22,000 bond after his fifth DUI arrest, last night.

An officer on patrol saw Lankford commit a traffic offense at 10:00, Monday night, at Carothers and Liberty. During the stop, the officer determined that Lankford was impaired and placed him under arrest. Thirty-five empty cans and bottles of beer were found in Lankford’s car.

Charged with Felony DUI (5th Offense), Violation of the Implied Consent Law, having open alcohol in his vehicle, and Disregarding a Traffic Control Device, Lankford is due in court on April 28.

Every day, almost 30 people in the U.S. die in drunk-driving crashes.
DUI crashes claim more than 10,000 lives per year (www.nhtsa.gov).
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Repeat drunk driver held after hit & run crash

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Vasiliy Birak
Age: 48
Columbia, TN

A Columbia man remains behind bars for his second DUI after nearly striking a pedestrian and shattering a telephone pole on Saturday.

Shortly after 4:00, Saturday afternoon, officers responded to the hit & run crash in the 1100 block of W. Main Street. Officers found the truck on Downs Blvd and determined that the driver, 48-year-old Vasiliy Birak, of Columbia, was impaired.

Charged with DUI – 2nd Offense, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon, Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Failure to Report a Crash, and Violation of the Implied Consent law, Birak remains jailed on a $15,500 bond. His court date is pending.

Drive Drunk, Get Nailed
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Drunk driver stopped, arrested after heading for Franklin’s Square at 70 MPH

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Willis Oothout
Age: 23
Nashville, TN

At 12:40 this morning, a Franklin Police Officer spotted a car careening into Franklin’s downtown neighborhood on 3rd Avenue. Radar indicated that the driver, 23-year-old Willis Oothout, was traveling 70 in the 30 MPH zone. After stopping Oothout, officers determined that he was impaired, and arrested him.

Charged with DUI and Reckless Driving, Oothout remains jailed on a $5,000 bond. He is due in court on October 12.

Drive Drunk, Get Nailed
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Drunk driver arrested with two small children in car

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A drunk driver who had two kids in the car was arrested Tuesday night. Facing several serious charges, she remains behind bars this morning.

Kelly Boyer
Age: 28
Nashville, TN

At about 11:00 pm on July 20, officers began searching for the suspect’s vehicle after citizens called in to report the driver’s erratic behavior. Officers found the vehicle being driven on the wrong side of McEwen Drive near Mallory Lane. Its front bumper was missing, and other vehicle parts were being dragged from the vehicle’s undercarriage.

Officers stopped the car and determined that the driver, 28-year old Kelly Boyer, was impaired. Two children, ages 7 and 1, were found in the back seat.

Charged with DUI, Failure to Exercise Due Care, x2 counts of Child Abuse, and Felony Reckless Endangerment, Boyer remains jailed on the $34,500 bond set by the Magistrate. Her first court appearance is set for July 27.

Please, please don’t drink and drive,
– it’s a deadly combination
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Impaired, fleeing driver arrested after running over pedestrian

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An impaired driver remains jailed this morning after running over a man and then leaving the scene, last Thursday.

At 4 p.m. on June 3, Officers were summoned to the business at 303 S. Royal Oaks Blvd. after 39-year-old Bianca Bankston ran over another worker who was trying to keep her from driving impaired. Bankston then crashed into another vehicle before fleeing.

A nearby Franklin Police Officer spotted the orange Hummer Bankston was driving, moments later, as it was turning onto Murfreesboro Rd. After stopping Bankston, the officer determined that she was impaired, and arrested her. Bankston is due in court today, and remains jailed on a $35,000 bond. Her charges are as follows:

Bianca Bankston
Age: 39
Nashville, TN

  • DUI — Second Offense
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Vehicular Assault
  • Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon
  • Leaving the Scene of an Injury Crash
  • Leaving the Scene of a Crash and Failing to Give Aid or Information
  • Violation of the Implied Consent Law
  • Driving Without Insurance
  • Driving While Suspended

The man Bankston ran over was very seriously injured, and remains hospitalized.

Booze It & Lose It!
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