Early in 2025, the Knoxville Police Department has seen a sharp increase in DUI reports, with 118 reports through Sunday, March 16th compared to 77 at the same time in 2024.

Between March 10 and March 16, there were 21 DUI reports, which included a trio of notable incidents from this past weekend.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. on March 14, 2025, officers responded to a crash on Chapman Highway. Bystanders said the driver, a 35-year-old man, was weaving in and out of traffic before he drove off the road and plummeted down a 50-foot embankment. Responding Knoxville Fire Department personnel administered Narcan and helped remove the driver from the vehicle. The driver had a previous DUI and admitted to an on-scene firefighter that he used fentanyl prior to getting behind the wheel. He was transported to UT Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries and arrested for DUI.

Later that night at approximately 11:00 p.m., officers responded to a report of a vehicle that had crashed into several other vehicles in the area of Henley Street and Main Street and fled the scene. One person who was struck by the driver was transported to UT Medical Center with a possible broken leg. The driver then drove his car to the 300 block of Blount Avenue and ran into nearby woods. The driver, a 23-year-old man, eventually ran into the Tennessee River in an effort to evade officers. He was ultimately pulled from the water and detained by responding KPD officers with the assistance of KFD’s Rescue Boat. The driver was subsequently charged with DUI in addition to numerous other charges.

Finally, at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025, officers were called to a crash in the 300 block of Gay Street, where a woman suspected of being under the influence crashed into a building. The building was unoccupied and no injuries were reported. The 25-year-old woman, who admitted to consuming numerous alcoholic beverages prior to driving, was arrested for DUI.

The KPD reminds community members to always drink responsibly and never get behind the wheel while under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. Plan ahead, always arrange a designated driver, or use a rideshare service to get home safely.