A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper who arrested eight sober drivers for DUI has been retrained following an investigative report. The trooper faced public scrutiny and three federal lawsuits. The state police acknowledged the issue internally and scheduled retraining, while the governor's office blocked a related public video. The arrested drivers were later proven sober through blood tests.
An investigative report by WSMV4 has uncovered a troubling issue within the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) involving a trooper who arrested eight sober drivers for driving under the influence (DUI). This revelation has led to public outcry, internal scrutiny within the THP, and multiple federal lawsuits against the trooper involved.
The investigation began with reports of troopers arresting drivers for DUI who were later found to be sober. The trooper at the center of this controversy, identified as Trooper James Zhan (referred to as ZH), was found to have arrested seven sober drivers initially, with an eighth arrest following shortly after.
Emails obtained by the investigative team revealed that the THP was aware of the scrutiny they were facing. On June 26, 2025, Nashville Sergeant Andrew Perez sent an email to troopers emphasizing the importance of conducting DUI investigations properly. He warned against being lazy or rushing through the process, which could lead to media attention, firings, or lawsuits.
Trooper James acknowledged this email, indicating awareness of the heightened scrutiny.
Following the airing of the investigation on August 14, public concern grew, with many calling for a full and transparent investigation into Trooper James's conduct. Despite the criticism, Sergeant Derek Spires encouraged Trooper James to continue performing his duties as instructed.
Six days later, the investigation revealed an eighth sober driver arrested by Trooper James, who was notably a former US attorney.
On August 27, the THP's communication director informed that a video addressing the sober DUI issue was recorded with Colonel Matt Perry. However, the governor's office reviewed and decided to craft a statement instead of releasing the video publicly.
On August 29, Sergeant Perez directed Trooper James to undergo retraining on DUI procedures, scheduling a four-hour training session with a lieutenant.
Attempts to obtain the video from the state were denied by state lawyers, and inquiries to the governor's office about blocking the video's release have not yet been answered.
As of the latest update, three federal lawsuits have been filed against Trooper James Zhan. The plaintiffs include:
All three were arrested for DUI by Trooper James, but subsequent blood tests confirmed they had no drugs or alcohol in their systems.
The case of Trooper James Zhan highlights significant concerns about the accuracy and fairness of DUI arrests within the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The internal acknowledgment of the issue, the retraining of the trooper, and the ongoing federal lawsuits underscore the seriousness of the matter. The public and legal scrutiny continue as efforts to obtain full transparency, including the withheld video, remain underway.
This situation serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper training and adherence to protocols in law enforcement to protect the rights of citizens and maintain public trust.
