NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Charges Dropped Against Steve McNair

Charges Dropped Against Steve McNair

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - DUI owner charges against Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair were dropped Tuesday morning.

The ex-Tennessee Titan was charged under a statute that allows police to charge the owner of a vehicle with driving under the influence if that person allows someone else who is impaired to drive.

McNair was in the passenger's seat of his sport utility vehicle when police stopped it for speeding on May 9. McNair's brother-in-law, Jamie Cartwright, was at the wheel.

Cartwright was arrested for DUI, and because McNair owned the truck he was arrested for a DUI owner charge.

Tuesday morning the charges against Cartwright were reduced to reckless driving, which automatically kicked out the charge against McNair.

The prosecutor said there was not enough evidence to prove DUI against Cartwright.

Cartwright pled guilty to the reckless driving charge, and was sentenced to a $350 fine, alcohol safety classes, a 6 month suspended sentence and 48 hours of jail time.

Cartwright's license was also suspended one year, but he can apply for a restricted license. Had Cartwright been convicted on the DUI charge, the sentence would have been the same, with the exception that he would have had a 1 year suspended sentence rather than 6 months - and McNair still would have faced charges.

Attorney Roger May asked the judge to expunge McNair's record.

McNair was charged with DUI in 2003, but that case was later dismissed.

(NewsChannel 5 and The Associated Press.)