{"url":"https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible/","title":"Ex-Red Bank cop probed for DUI after crashes, drunk shift","domain":"timesfreepress.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/11985220/pexels-photo-11985220.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"police car crash","category":"Other","language":"en","slug":"220eb603","id":"220eb603-1f0b-4676-a08d-a7288bb306e4","description":"Hamilton County Sheriff's Office investigates former Red Bank police officer Brantley Young for possible DUI after his March resignation.[[1]](https://www.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Hamilton County Sheriff's Office investigates former Red Bank police officer **Brantley Young** for possible DUI after his March resignation.[[1]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible)\n- Young caused three crashes on duty, including totaling one vehicle, and reported for work drunk, failing a blood alcohol test.[[1]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible)[[2]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/mar/08/red-bank-police-officer-resigns-after-three)\n- Case raises questions about officer accountability and public safety risks from impaired police driving.[[1]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible)\n\n## The story at a glance\nThe Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has opened a criminal investigation into **Brantley Young**, a 37-year-old former Red Bank police officer who resigned in March 2026 after multiple on-duty crashes and showing up drunk for work.[[1]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible) Key figures include Hamilton County District Attorney **Coty Wamp**, who noted Young's failed blood alcohol test, and Red Bank city officials who escorted him home in a patrol car.[[1]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible) This update follows earlier coverage of his resignation and comes as authorities weigh potential charges.[[1]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible)\n\n## Key points\n- Young resigned March 8, 2026, amid an internal probe after causing **three crashes**, one totaling his police vehicle in a four-car chain reaction.[[2]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/mar/08/red-bank-police-officer-resigns-after-three)\n- On the morning he resigned, Young reported for duty intoxicated, failed a blood alcohol test, and was driven home in the back of a patrol car by colleagues, per city manager.[[3]](https://www.local3news.com/local-news/red-bank-officer-resigns-after-alcohol-related-investigation/article_04b28496-d2cc-49c3-a000-bed056a38953.html)\n- Red Bank city officials confirmed he was unaware of his impairment; an internal investigation was ongoing at resignation, with Young still under department review then.[[2]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/mar/08/red-bank-police-officer-resigns-after-three)\n- Hamilton County DA **Coty Wamp** recently learned details of the failed test and referred the case to the Sheriff's Office for possible criminal charges like DUI.[[1]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible)\n- The April 6 article by **Mason Edwards** ties back to March reporting on the crashes and resignation.[[4]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/staff/mason-edwards)\n\n## Details and context\nYoung's crashes occurred during his employment with the small Red Bank Police Department in Hamilton County, Tennessee, near Chattanooga; one incident involved totaling a police SUV.[[2]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/mar/08/red-bank-police-officer-resigns-after-three) His claim of unawareness about being drunk highlights potential issues with self-monitoring or department protocols for impairment checks.[[2]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/mar/08/red-bank-police-officer-resigns-after-three)\n\nThe Sheriff's investigation marks an escalation from Red Bank's internal handling, where he resigned instead of facing termination; no charges filed as of April 6 reporting.[[1]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible) This fits a pattern of local police misconduct scrutiny, including past Red Bank cases, but focuses here on reckless driving risks by officers.[[2]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/mar/08/red-bank-police-officer-resigns-after-three)\n\n## Key quotes\nNone reliably sourced in available coverage.\n\n## Why it matters\nImpaired officers on duty threaten public safety through crashes and poor decision-making, eroding trust in local police like Red Bank's small force.  \nResidents and drivers in Hamilton County face direct risks from such incidents, while departments must tighten screening to avoid liability.  \nWatch for charges from the Sheriff's probe or DA action, though outcomes remain uncertain pending full review.[[1]](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible)","hashtags":["#police","#accountability","#dui","#investigation","#tennessee","#chattanooga"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/06/red-bank-officer-under-investigation-for-possible/","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/mar/08/red-bank-police-officer-resigns-after-three","title":""},{"url":"https://www.local3news.com/local-news/red-bank-officer-resigns-after-alcohol-related-investigation/article_04b28496-d2cc-49c3-a000-bed056a38953.html","title":""},{"url":"https://www.timesfreepress.com/staff/mason-edwards","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-08T13:19:52.502Z"}