Republican lawmaker faces serious charges after hit-and-run and failed sobriety test
In a dramatic turn of events, Tennessee State Senator Ken Yager found himself at the center of a highly publicized arrest following a hit-and-run incident and subsequent driving under the influence (DUI) charges in Georgia on Tuesday afternoon.
A series of unfortunate events
The 77-year-old Republican, who chairs the Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus, was apprehended in the parking lot of Jekyll Market after troopers identified his black Ford Edge as the vehicle involved in a previous collision.
The incident quickly escalated, revealing a series of compromising circumstances that have cast a shadow over the long-time politician’s reputation.
When law enforcement approached Yager, they found him already attended to by emergency responders after a fall. The subsequent field sobriety test, captured on video and widely shared on social media, painted a damning picture of the senator’s condition.
Ken Yager struggled to maintain his balance, with video evidence showing a dark stain on his cargo pants that suggested he had urinated on himself during the test.
The official incident report confirmed this embarrassing detail, noting that the sobriety test was cut short as he proved unable to stand safely.
Admission and breathalyzer results
The senator admitted to having consumed “a couple of glasses of wine” earlier in the day. Arresting officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and administered a breathalyzer test. The results showed a blood alcohol content of 0.14, significantly above the legal limit of 0.08.
Charges and potential consequences
Ken Yager now faces multiple charges, including:
- Hit-and-run
- Failure to stop at a stop sign
- Driving under the influence
After being booked into Glynn County Jail, he was released on a $2,117.70 bond in the early hours of Wednesday morning. In a brief statement, Yager acknowledged the incident but, on the advice of his attorney, declined to provide further details.
Political implications for Ken Yager
The incident could have significant repercussions for Yager’s political career. Tennessee Senate ethics guidelines suggest he may be required to step down from his caucus leadership if indicted, though he has 10 days to request an appeal hearing before the Ethics Committee.
A long political career at risk
Ken Yager, who previously worked as a teacher and served as Roane County attorney and executive before entering the Tennessee Senate, now finds his reputation and political future hanging in the balance. His current term is set to expire in November 2028, but this incident may prove to be a critical turning point.
As the investigation continues, the political and personal fallout from this arrest remains to be seen.