State Trooper Charged With DWI

Nashville, N.C. — State troopers charged one of their own with driving-while-impaired in Nash County.

First Sgt. John B. Warren, 41, was placed on investigative leave following the arrest, Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Everett Clendenin said.

The Nash County Sheriff’s Department was contacted early Sunday morning about an argument between Warren and a woman at her home near N.C. Highway 97.

Lt. Clendenin said when troopers arrived at the residence, they determined Warren drove there impaired. They arrested him on suspicion of drunken driving. Breath tests showed he had a blood-alcohol content level of 0.13, said Clendenin. The legal limit is 0.08.

Warren was charged with DWI around 4 a.m. Sunday.

The Highway Patrol will swiftly investigate the incident and implement any disciplinary action against Warren, Colonel W. Fletcher Clay, commander of the Highway Patrol, said in a statement.

"We hold our troopers to a high standard, and we expect them to obey all North Carolina laws and patrol policies," Clay said. "Be assured that such actions are not tolerated and appropriate disciplinary action is taken as quickly as possible."

Warren is a 19-year veteran of the force and is stationed in Raleigh.

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What you have to remember is that Nash County (along with Wilson & Edgecombe) is in the 7th Dismissal District. It's hard enough to convict a drunk driver in that district when the officer see's the drunk driving. According to this story no one saw the trooper driving. If that is true, can you say dismissal or not guilty. He may come in and plead guilty but if not and there is no witness that can put him behind the wheel, and he was not behind the wheel when arrested, I seriously doubt he will get convicted.

slappyh99
September 11, 2007 11:21 a.m.

patpla: There have been revisions in the DWI laws some went on just before 07. It used to be that if the keys were not in the ignition and no one actually witnessed you drive - it would be difficult to get a conviction - heard a bunch of those arguements in court and most of the time the "state" lost and the judge ruled not guilty. I am sure there have been some things changed over the years - and I don't keep up with it like I used to.

shine
September 11, 2007 10:53 a.m.

donut boys strike again! Just watch out, you have to follow the law or they'll get ya...but they can do like they wish. How does it feel to be on the other side of the law donut boy?

nobodyz bizness
September 11, 2007 9:45 a.m.

I thought they have to see u driving before they could charge someone w/dui

patpla
September 11, 2007 7:59 a.m.

Look at it this way... he is a trooper - but he is a human just like you and me. He is going to do the same things that happen to John Q Public just like everyone else does. I am not taking up for him but he has the same responsibilities, problems, and bills to pay at the end of the day as everyone else.

The NCHP has been catching alot of heat for the last couple of weeks and rightfully so. They are no more in front of the law than the tax payer (John Q Citizen).

They also have an effort to uphold the law and not break it - if they are going defend it.

If you are a doctor does it give you the right to determine who should die and who should live?

I am not sure according to the article if "he was not seen driving" could he be convicted ?

There must have been more to the story than we all have read.

shine
September 11, 2007 12:10 a.m.