State Rep. Rob Briley Arrested For DUI, Vandalism

State Rep. Rob Briley Arrested For DUI, Vandalism

WATERTOWN, Tenn.- Police charged Tennessee House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rob Briley with drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident after two separate incidents.

On Saturday, a Watertown police officer arrested the Nashville Democrat after they stopped Briley's sports utility vehicle. He was charged with driving under the influence, evading arrest and violation of the implied consent law.

Earlier in the evening state troopers cited Briley for allegedly ramming a truck in the rear in Dowelltown before driving toward Watertown. Troopers cited Briley for driving under the influence, evading arrest and violation of the implied consent law.

Police said he tried to escape officers who attempted to pull him over in Wilson County. Watertown police said the chase topped speeds of more than 100 miles an hour.

During a search of Briley's Nissan Xterra police found an empty bottle of whiskey and several containers of pills. Police discovered he damaged a squad car during his previous arrest.

On Monday, officials at the Wilson County jail started to book Briley for vandalism before Briley was escorted out of the jail in shackles to an undisclosed location.

Even though officials did not say where Briley was going, they did say that Briley would be brought back to finish his booking.

Briley's vandalism charges stem from the incidents Saturday night. Briley damaged the back inside window of the squad car that was taking him away from the scene of the crime.

Briley was expected to post bond and be released from the Wilson County jail Monday evening.

According to The Associated Press, Briley's committee is slated to address a proposed overhaul of drunken-driving laws next year. In the last legislative session, Briley asked the sponsors of a several drunken-driving measures to hold off consideration of their bills so the General Assembly later take up a comprehensive DUI bill.

Briley's grandfather Beverly Briley was Metro-Nashville's first mayor. His older brother David was among the candidates running for mayor this year.

(NewsChannel 5 and The Associated Press.)