Ron LaFlamme was driving home from work on a quiet Tennessee evening when he saw the flashing lights in his rearview mirror. He pulled over, thinking maybe he had a taillight out or was going a few miles over the speed limit. What happened next would turn his world upside down.
The trooper asked him to step out of the car and perform a field sobriety test. LaFlamme was confused—he hadn’t been drinking, hadn’t taken any medication, and felt completely fine. But minutes later, he found himself in handcuffs, charged with driving under the influence.
“I was surprised when he started asking me to do a sobriety test,” LaFlamme later said. “It was wrongful arrest.” What LaFlamme didn’t know at the time was that he was one of dozens of completely sober drivers who would face the same shocking experience.
A Pattern of Wrongful DUI Arrests Comes to Light
In Bedford County, Tennessee, a disturbing pattern has emerged that should concern every driver. Forty-one DUI arrests made by a single Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper have been dismissed—with nearly half involving drivers who were completely sober or well within legal limits.
The trooper at the center of this controversy, former Trooper Asa Pearl, made these questionable arrests between 2021 and 2024 before resigning from the Tennessee Highway Patrol in 2024. No official reason was given for his resignation.
What makes this case particularly troubling is the sheer number of DUI arrests dismissed. Out of 41 cases, 22 involved drivers who either had no substances in their system whatsoever or were within legal limits. These weren’t borderline cases or technical dismissals—these were arrests of genuinely sober people.
“Word was spreading in Bedford County about Pearl’s DUI dismissal rate,” said David McKenzie, LaFlamme’s attorney. “Ron’s case was not the only one with this particular trooper, where blood results were coming back negative.”
Breaking Down the Dismissed Cases
The Bedford County District Attorney’s office compiled detailed records showing exactly why these DUI arrests were dismissed. The numbers paint a troubling picture of law enforcement practices gone wrong.
| Reason for Dismissal | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| No alcohol or drugs in system | 8 cases |
| Blood alcohol within legal limits, no drugs | 14 cases |
| Trooper unavailable for court | Various |
| Trooper unable to recall arrest details | Various |
| Other procedural issues | 19 cases total |
The most shocking category involves the eight drivers who had absolutely nothing in their system. Like LaFlamme, these individuals were stone-cold sober when they were arrested and charged with DUI. Imagine the stress, embarrassment, and financial burden of fighting a DUI charge when you know you’re completely innocent.
Another 14 cases involved drivers whose blood alcohol levels were within legal limits. These weren’t people who had just barely squeaked under the legal threshold—they were well within their rights to be driving.
The remaining 19 dismissed cases fell apart for various procedural reasons, including Pearl being unavailable for court appearances or unable to remember details about the arrests he made. This suggests a pattern of poor police work and inadequate record-keeping.
The Real-World Impact on Innocent Drivers
Behind each of these statistics is a real person whose life was disrupted by wrongful arrest. Getting arrested for DUI carries immediate consequences that go far beyond the eventual court outcome.
When you’re arrested for DUI, you typically face:
- Immediate license suspension
- Vehicle impoundment and towing fees
- Jail booking and potential overnight stay
- Legal fees that can reach thousands of dollars
- Time off work for court appearances
- Damage to your reputation and employment prospects
Even when charges are eventually dismissed, the arrest record can still appear on background checks. For professionals in certain fields, just the arrest itself can trigger disciplinary action or job loss.
McKenzie emphasized that this pattern represents “a systemic problem with what he was doing on the side of the road.” He warned that anyone could be next: “This could happen to your child. This could happen to your parent. This could happen to your co-worker.”
The attorney’s words highlight a crucial point—when law enforcement officers make arrests without proper justification, it erodes public trust and puts every law-abiding citizen at risk.
This case is part of a broader investigation revealing concerning trends in DUI enforcement across Tennessee. Pearl isn’t the only trooper who has been found to have arrested multiple sober drivers for DUI, suggesting this may be a more widespread problem than initially realized.
For drivers in Tennessee and beyond, this case serves as a stark reminder that you can do everything right—stay completely sober, drive safely, follow all traffic laws—and still find yourself facing serious criminal charges. The system that’s supposed to protect public safety can sometimes become a source of injustice itself.
The dismissal of these 41 DUI arrests raises important questions about training, supervision, and accountability within law enforcement agencies. How many other innocent drivers might be dealing with wrongful charges right now? How many have already pleaded guilty to avoid the cost and stress of fighting the charges, even though they were innocent?
While Pearl has resigned, the damage to these drivers’ lives has already been done. The financial costs, emotional stress, and time lost can never be fully recovered, even with a dismissal.
FAQs
What happens when DUI arrests are dismissed?
When charges are dismissed, you’re no longer facing criminal penalties, but the arrest record may still exist and could appear on background checks depending on state laws.
Can I sue if I’m wrongfully arrested for DUI?
You may have grounds for a civil lawsuit against the arresting officer and their department, but success depends on proving the arrest was made without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.
How common are wrongful DUI arrests?
While exact numbers are difficult to determine, this Tennessee case suggests the problem may be more widespread than previously known, with some officers repeatedly arresting sober drivers.
What should I do if I’m pulled over for suspected DUI when sober?
Remain calm, be polite, and comply with lawful orders, but clearly state you haven’t been drinking. Request blood testing if arrested, as it’s more accurate than field sobriety tests.
Can field sobriety tests be wrong?
Yes, field sobriety tests can produce false positives due to medical conditions, fatigue, nervousness, or officer error in administration or interpretation.
How much does it cost to fight a wrongful DUI charge?
Legal fees alone can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, not including other costs like bail, towing fees, and lost wages from court appearances.
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