Officer charged with DUI after using emergency lights with open beer container in vehicle: police

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - A Mississippi police sergeant has been arrested for driving under the influence after Tennessee authorities say they stopped him for using his emergency lights with an open beer in the car.

According to an arrest report from the Gatlinburg Police Department, the situation started on Tuesday at around 10:20 p.m. when an officer spotted a black Ford Explorer driving with hidden emergency lights activated.

Officer Myers, with Gatlinburg police, said he saw the car briefly drive into oncoming traffic, prompting a vehicle stop.

“Upon approach, I observed more emergency lights throughout the vehicle displayed in the 2nd & 3rd row windows,” Myers said.

The driver identified himself as Joseph James Prine Jr., who WLOX confirmed is a sergeant in Gulfport.

Myers said he and another responding officer saw an open can of Busch beer in the center console, but the car’s passenger said it was his.

When asked, Prine admitted he had had two Michelob Ultra beers at a nearby bar, while he later said the number could have been as high as four, the report said.

According to the responding officers, Prine failed sobriety tests and they found an open jar of moonshine pickles inside the vehicle.

Prine declined a breathalyzer test, the report said, but did have to provide a blood sample because of Tennessee’s implied consent law.

Body camera footage from the Gatlinburg Police Department confirmed Prine was in town for the Command Leadership Institute FBI training.

Prine’s charges include DUI, having a handgun while under the influence and displaying alcohol.