RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. — A man was arrested Sunday morning after police found him passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle that had rolled to the edge of the water at the Hurricane Creek Boat Ramp, according to the La Vergne Police Department.

Officers were dispatched to the boat ramp at approximately 10:30 a.m. on March 22, 2026, following reports of a vehicle slowly rolling toward the water with a driver inside. Upon arrival, officers discovered the vehicle had come to rest just feet from the water’s edge on a rocky bank.

Police reported that the driver was unconscious behind the wheel and that the vehicle remained in drive at the time officers approached. After making contact with the driver, officers observed multiple signs of impairment, including the odor of alcohol and several open containers inside the vehicle.

Authorities said the driver consented to field sobriety testing but was unable to successfully complete the tests as instructed.

During the investigation, officers also located a handgun inside the vehicle equipped with a 40-round extended magazine.

The driver was taken into custody and transported for booking. He now faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence, possession of a weapon while under the influence, open container violations, and outstanding warrants out of Rutherford County.

Police noted that the situation could have resulted in a far more serious outcome, given the vehicle’s proximity to the water and the driver’s impaired condition.

The La Vergne Police Department emphasized that impaired driving poses a significant risk not only to the individual involved but also to the public. Officials also encouraged those struggling with substance use or mental health challenges to seek help, adding that resources are available to assist individuals in need.

Authorities further urged the public to report suspicious or concerning behavior, stating that community involvement plays a key role in preventing potentially dangerous situations.

DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed.