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28-year-old Memphis Police Department officer, Verlean Washington, was charged with driving under the influence on July 29. She also faces other charges including reckless driving, disregarding a red light and failure to exercise due care, and violation of financial law.
Authorities recovered alcohol bottles and cans from Washington's vehicle. The suspect's speech was also slurred during the arrest. Soon after she was arrested, the 28-year-old cop was relieved of duty. An investigation into the case is currently ongoing.
Memphis Police Department officer Verlean Washington was charged with DUI after she failed one part of her sobriety test
On Saturday, July 29, 2023, at around 1 am local time, 28-year-old Verlean Washington was accused of driving recklessly under the influence of a substance. Washington, who has been an officer since January 2022, was not on duty while she was driving a tan Jeep Wrangler during the arrest.
Law enforcement officials mentioned that Washington was speeding along the Germantown Parkway and Cordova Road, as per FOX 13. Before officers could conduct a traffic stop, she missed a red arrow turn light and kept driving. Verlean Washington then ended up slamming into an Audi. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the crash.
Authorities arrived at the crash site and discovered that Verlean smelled of alcohol. Her speech was also slurred while she was talking to the cops before the arrest. While Washington passed the 'walk and turn' and the 'one-leg' tests, she failed the 'horizontal gaze nystagmus' test.
Upon further investigation, cops recovered an empty beer can and an unsealed bottle of vodka from the passenger's seat of her car. The Memphis Police Department has initiated an investigation to look into the matter and has placed the officer on leave.
A spokesperson from the Memphis Police Department said:
"Officer Washington is relieved of duty pending the outcome of this investigation."
The suspect is currently out of jail and her next court appearance has been scheduled for August 8, 2023.
More DUI cases reported in July 2023
Indiana State Trooper, Zachary Smith was recently arrested for driving while intoxicated on July 27. Smith has been put on administrative leave, and his fate will be based on the outcome of the investigation.
In a separate case, radio host, Orlando Davis faced a DUI charge on July 22, 2023. The Tampa Police Department confirmed that he was driving while intoxicated, and also missed a red light at an intersection of West Kennedy Boulevard and North Dale Mabry. Davis then ended up crashing into another car, however, no serious injuries were reported.
