A Memphis police officer was relieved of duty after he was arrested for driving under the influence on Saturday September 7.
Sgt. Thomas Berryhill, 62, was off duty when he crashed first striking a curb while pulling into a parking lot, then striking a column of a liquor store building after he drove over the parking barrier, News 3 reports. A woman saw Berryhill crash and prevented him from leaving the scene.
According to an affidavit, the woman told officers that she could tell Berryhill had been drinking when he exited the vehicle after the crash. She also said she saw what appeared to be a bottle in his hand.
Officers at the scene attempted to perform a sobriety test, but Berryhill did not perform the test as instructed. It was then that Memphis police drew blood but the results are still pending.
Berryhill was also arrested for public intoxication and reckless driving. The officer has been relieved of duty pending the ongoing investigation.
He has been employed by the Memphis Police Department since August of 1993.
