News Summary
An off-duty Chattanooga police officer, Mackenzie Pierre, has been charged with DUI and other offenses following two vehicle crashes late Sunday night. The officer collided with a stationary vehicle after allegedly running a red light and then struck another vehicle while merging onto Highway 153. Pierre displayed signs of impairment and was evaluated at the scene before being taken to a hospital. He has been placed on administrative leave pending investigations.
Chattanooga Police Officer Charged with DUI Following Two Crashes
CHATTANOOGA – An off-duty officer from the Chattanooga Police Department, Mackenzie Pierre, faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence (DUI) after he caused two related two-vehicle crashes late Sunday night, June 1. The incidents occurred around 11:30 p.m., initiating a swift response from law enforcement and emergency services.
The first incident took place in the 4200 block of Bonny Oaks Drive when Pierre allegedly ran a red light, colliding with the passenger side of a stationary vehicle. The driver of the vehicle that was struck followed Pierre’s SUV, which continued on Bonny Oaks Drive after the initial collision. Soon after, while merging onto Highway 153 North from Highway 58, Pierre’s SUV was struck again on the passenger side by another vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 58.
Following the second collision, Pierre’s SUV crossed the median and came to a stop in the grass at the bottom of the Highway 153 exit ramp. Responding Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) officers were able to identify Pierre as the driver of the SUV and promptly alerted the Traffic/DUI Unit. During the investigation, Pierre displayed signs of impairment and was evaluated on-site by Hamilton County EMS before being transported to a local hospital. No other individuals involved in the incidents required transport to the hospital, though one person received on-scene evaluation from Chattanooga Fire and EMS.
Pierre has since been charged with DUI, leaving the scene of a crash, and failure to yield the right of way. On Monday, June 2, he was placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure in such cases, and will remain on leave while an Internal Affairs investigation is conducted separately from the ongoing traffic and criminal investigations into the incidents.
Context of Incident
At the time of the crashes, Pierre was not on duty and was driving his personal vehicle, not a city-owned one. Pierre has been employed with the Chattanooga Police Department since August 2019. His actions have raised significant concerns among the local community and department officials, prompting both a criminal investigation into the DUI charge and an internal review of departmental conduct.
The Chattanooga Police Department is actively investigating the incidents and encourages any individuals with additional information to reach out to them by calling 423-698-2525.
The ongoing attention to DUI cases among law enforcement personnel underscores the importance of accountability and safety on the roads. The outcomes of both the criminal and internal investigations are awaited by community members and department officials alike as they seek to address the repercussions of this incident.
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Additional Resources
- News Channel 9
- Local 3 News
- The Chattanoogan
- Wikipedia: Driving Under the Influence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Driving Under the Influence
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
