Truck Damages Martin Residence; Driver Charged with DUI

MARTIN (November 24) — According to a Martin Police Department incident report, at approximately 12:06 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24, a motor vehicle crashed into a Martin residence, causing significant damage.

Ptl. Brandyn H. Brown states, Tanner Clay Seratt, 19, of Martin was traveling south on Mill Street in a four-door, 2005 Ford F-250, when the driver failed to stop at the Oxford Street intersection and struck the wall of the house at 238 Oxford St.

According to the report, while Ptl. Brown was speaking with Seratt, the officer observed the driver’s eyes to be glassy, and detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage on his person and breath. When the officer asked Seratt if he had consumed any alcohol, Seratt stated he drank approximately one case of beer. Seratt also appeared to be unsteady on his feet.

Seratt was asked to perform a series of standardized field sobriety tests. During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus tests, the officer observed Vertical Gaze Nystagmus, indicating a high level of intoxication. After completing the tests, Ptl. Brown determined it would be unsafe for Seratt to operate a motor vehicle on a public roadway.

Seratt was placed under arrest for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence. The officer also noted the driver is under the age of 21.

While at the Martin Police Department, Officer Brown read the Implied Consent Law to Seratt and he consented to providing a breath sample, which indicated a blood alcohol level of .216. This is .136 above the legal limit of .08.

The defendant is charged with Underage Driving While Impaired (18-20), Violation of the Drinking Age Law, and Failure to Maintain Control of a Motor Vehicle.

Property damage is estimated to be approximately $10,000.

The vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

Seratt is ordered to appear in Weakley County General Sessions Court January 6, 2021, for his preliminary hearing date.