Man charged with DUI after ‘dangerous’ burnouts on Broadway
NASHVILLE— A local man faces charges for driving under the influence (DUI) after performing dangerous burnouts at an intersection in downtown Nashville. The incident took place on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in the evening around 6:15 pm.
Incident Details
The Nashville Metropolitan Police Department (MNPD) reported that 51-year-old area resident Mark Gist was seen steering his Infiniti sedan onto the city’s popular Broadway street from 4th Avenue South at a recklessly high speed. He then proceeded to perform a risky ‘burnout,’ a stunt that caused a fair amount of alarm since the streets were densely filled with traffic at the time.
Police officers, who were present near the scene, were able to command Gist to pull his vehicle off to the side of the street without incident. According to officers, upon exiting the vehicle, Gist’s stability was off balance and he appeared to display signs of alcohol impairment such as having glassy, watery eyes and slurred speech.
The Arrest
Authorities revealed that Gist admitted to having consumed alcohol. A subsequent search of his vehicle led to the discovery of an open whiskey bottle, further bolstering the suspicions of the officer. Field sobriety tests were also administered, on which the Nashville man performed poorly.
Further investigation by the MNPD revealed additional law infringements – Gist’s driver’s license had previously been revoked, adding an extra layer of severity to his reckless driving.
Charges
After his arrest, Gist was charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), reckless driving, and driving with a revoked license. Post-arrest, Gist was taken into custody, where he currently remains, awaiting his court appearance with a bond set at $4,000.
The dangers of drinking and driving are well-documented and the case of Mark Gist only serves as a stark reminder of the potential effects of alcohol on an individual’s ability to operate a vehicle. It proves and reinforces the message that even a single drink can influence a driver’s response times and judgements of situations. As always, local law enforcement authorities continue to encourage drivers to be responsible and to always seek alternative and safe transport options if they had been consuming alcohol.
Stay tuned for more updates on this case as the legal process unfolds.
