Tennessee Trooper Retraining Follows Sober DUI Arrests, Lawsuits Mount
A Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) trooper is undergoing retraining after arresting at least eight drivers who were later found to have no alcohol or drugs in their systems. The case has sparked public outcry, multiple federal lawsuits, and legislative action aimed at addressing the issue of wrongful DUI arrests and improving transparency.
Trooper James Zahn and the Sober DUI Cases
Trooper James Zahn was ordered to complete a four-hour DUI retraining session following reports of multiple arrests of sober drivers, according to internal THP emails obtained by WSMV4 Investigates. The emails reveal that THP leadership and the governor’s office were actively monitoring the fallout from the reports.
Three individuals arrested by Zahn have filed federal lawsuits, including former U.S. Attorney Jane Bondurant, and two Tennessee residents. All three had blood tests that showed no presence of drugs or alcohol.
Internal Concerns and Governor’s Office Involvement
Internal communications show that THP supervisors were aware of the increased scrutiny surrounding DUI enforcement as early as June 2025. One supervisor cautioned troopers to strictly adhere to training procedures to avoid lawsuits or disciplinary action. Despite this, another supervisor encouraged Zahn to “Preserve doing the job the way you have been instructed” after the initial reports surfaced.
The THP recorded a video response to address the controversy, but the governor’s office reviewed and blocked its public release. State attorneys have denied requests for a copy of the video, WSMV4 reports.
Legislative Response and Increased Oversight
The situation has prompted legislative changes in Tennessee. A law passed last year, prompted by earlier reporting, requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to track and report annually the number of sober drivers arrested for DUI and by which agencies.
A new bill, which has already passed the Tennessee Senate, aims to allow out-of-state drivers to access their Tennessee arrest records. This issue arose in the case of Labreesha Batey, a NASA employee and Alabama resident who was arrested in Tennessee while sober but unable to access her own arrest record under current state law, FOX17 reports.
Growing Number of Lawsuits
Since 2024, 22 lawsuits alleging wrongful DUI arrests of sober drivers have been filed in Tennessee, according to FOX17. Thirteen of these cases were filed in the Middle District of Tennessee, and seven involved THP troopers. Damages sought in these lawsuits have ranged from $75,000 to $20 million.
Systemic Issues and Future Implications
The case highlights potential systemic problems within law enforcement training, and supervision. The encouragement of officers to continue practices despite known errors raises concerns about accountability and the potential for continued wrongful arrests. The effectiveness of the new legislation will depend on its implementation and whether it leads to meaningful changes in patrol practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.