A Tennessee State Trooper arrested two drivers for DUI final 12 months, nonetheless it was later revealed that neither examined at above authorized restrict. An ongoing investigation reveals this kind of wrongful arrest isn’t restricted to 1 unhealthy cop, and an overburdened evaluate course of is costing individuals their time, livelihoods and dignity.
A Tennessee State Trooper arrested two totally different drivers on false DUI expenses, NBC’s Nashville affiliate WSMV stories. The primary particular person arrested — a person named Keith Von Soosten — detailed to WSMV his August 2023 arrest by State Trooper William Yates-Matoy. WSMV says physique digicam footage confirmed a second trooper asking Von Soosten about whether or not or not he had been consuming nearly as quickly as he walks as much as his automobile.
Von Soosten tells WSMV4 Investigates that he did swerve whereas making an attempt to placed on his seat belt however didn’t really feel it warranted him to conduct a subject sobriety check.
So when the opposite trooper on the scene, William Yates-Matoy, requested Von Soosten to take a subject sobriety check, his reply was no.
“Alright, you’re below arrest for DUI,” Yates-Matoy may be heard saying within the physique digicam footage.
“Why is that? Whoa, wait, don’t do this but. I’m asking the query,” Von Soosten mentioned.
Von Soosten can be charged with a number of offenses, together with DUI, reckless driving and implied consent.
Two months later, Von Soosten’s blood check confirmed his blood alcohol stage was .067, sober sufficient to drive.
Von Soosten mentioned he was humiliated by the arrest, particularly as he wasn’t drunk. WSMV says Yates-matoy wrote on the ticket that Van Soosten “had crossed the middle line, had a powerful odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes and a thick, slurred speech.”
Yates-Matoy made a second false DUI arrest in December 2023 of Thomas Manis. Mains’ BAC later confirmed he was sober through the arrest. Mains in the end filed a swimsuit in opposition to Yates-Matoy and the State Troopers over the arrest.
These two arrests are solely a small half of a bigger downside. WSMV has been investigating Tennessee State Troopers over a lot of false DUI arrests in a collection referred to as Sobering Drawback. WSMV discovered that the company has a backlog of alcohol and toxicology checks which may show the innocence of these arrested, however their lives are disrupted whereas they await police to get their act collectively. Head over to WSMV and skim extra in regards to the investigation right here.
