Republican Tenn. Lawmaker Urinates During DUI Arrest After Alleged Hit-and-Run While Vacationing

Mar. 15, 2025

Tennessee state Sen. Ken Yager.Photo:Glynn County Detention Center

Glynn County Detention Center

A Tennessee lawmaker has been arrested for allegedly driving under the influence after urinating his pants during a field sobriety test.

Georgia DPS said that the incident happened around 5 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Troopers had been on the lookout for a Ford Edge with Tennessee license plates, which had been reported in an alleged hit-and-run earlier in the day on Jekyll Island.

Officers said they “detected a distinct odor of alcohol on his breath” and they asked the congressman to take a field sobriety test and breathalyzer test — which he agreed to.

Video capturedof the field sobriety test showed an officer trying to instruct Yager to walk along a straight line. Yager — whose pants appeared to be wet along the inseam in the video — stumbled a bit during the test and took extra steps to the side to balance himself.

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Yager’s office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

His office told theOak Ridgerin a statement that he had been on vacation during the incident.

“An unfortunate incident happened last night. On the advice of my attorney, I cannot discuss the particulars at this time,” Yager said in a statement to the outlet. “I am and will continue to cooperate fully with authorities to bring this incident to an appropriate conclusion.”

Yager, who is a Republican from Kingston, Tenn., currently serves as the chairman of the state’s Senate Republican Caucus. The congressman, who has served in the state Senate since 2006, was reelected chairman earlier this month, according to theOak Ridger.

source: people.com