College Athlete Arrested for DUI Despite Zero BAC and Negative Drug Tests

DUI Arrest Despite Negative Tests

• 🎯 A 19-year-old college football player, McClain Fineran, was arrested for DUI in Rome, Georgia, after striking a parked car.
• ⚠️ Despite blowing a zero on a breathalyzer and later testing negative for all drugs and alcohol, Fineran was taken into custody.
• 💡 The arrest occurred despite Fineran's full cooperation and the critical evidence (negative test results) calling the stop into question.

Field Sobriety Tests and Initial Observations

• 🚗 Officers were dispatched to the Shorter University campus after Fineran allegedly struck a parked car with his pickup truck.
• ❓ Fineran initially seemed disoriented, not immediately knowing where he hit the other vehicle, leading officers to suspect impairment.
• 🔬 He underwent several field sobriety tests, including the walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus test, which he reportedly struggled with, partly due to contacts and nervousness.

Breathalyzer and Subsequent Testing

• 💨 Fineran was administered a breathalyzer test, which registered a zero blood alcohol content (BAC).
• 🩸 Following the arrest, he underwent blood and urine tests conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, both of which returned negative results for any substances.
• ⚖️ Despite these negative results, the arresting officer stated he had probable cause to believe Fineran was under the influence of something other than alcohol, leading to the DUI arrest.

Legal Ramifications and Case Outcome

• 🏫 Fineran spent the night in jail and faced potential expulsion from school and removal from his football team.
• ✅ Ultimately, the DUI charge was dropped due to the conclusive negative test results.
• 📰 The Rome Police Department defended the arrest, stating the officer had sufficient probable cause and that a prosecutor's decision to dismiss a charge does not invalidate the initial arrest.
• ✈️ Fineran expressed a desire to transfer from his current school and leave Rome, Georgia.