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.