College Football Star Arrested for DUI Despite 0.0 Breathalyzer

UPDATE: A shocking incident has unfolded involving 19-year-old McClain Fineran, a kicker for the Shorter University football team, who was arrested for DUI after reporting an accident, despite blowing 0.0 on a breathalyzer. This urgent development occurred on October 2, 2023, when Fineran contacted the Rome Police Department to report hitting a parked car in an empty parking lot.

Fineran, who had just finished a late-night study session, sought to file an accident report when he ended up in handcuffs. He stated, “I did what I was taught,” reflecting his intention to act responsibly. However, police conducted field sobriety tests after the breathalyzer indicated no alcohol in his system. An officer claimed there was “sufficient probable cause” to believe he was under the influence of something other than alcohol, leading to his arrest.

Despite spending the night in jail, subsequent tests by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation revealed no illegal or prescription drugs in Fineran’s system. This incident raises critical questions regarding the reliability of field sobriety tests, particularly as previous studies show a troubling trend: a recent Journal of American Medicine Association study indicated that officers misclassified 49% of sober participants as impaired when assessing for marijuana use.

Fineran’s mother, Christine Fineran, voiced her concerns, stating, “If we’re seeing people getting arrested when they’re sober and they’re not under the influence, there’s a problem.” The situation escalated as prosecutors ultimately dropped the DUI charges after receiving the negative test results.

In light of the incident, Fineran has decided to enter the transfer portal, indicating his intention to leave Shorter University. Meanwhile, the Rome Police Department confirmed the arrest was justified but acknowledged “deficiencies in report documentation,” leading to an internal reprimand for the responding officer.

This troubling case highlights the urgent need for reevaluating the protocols surrounding DUI arrests and field sobriety tests. As the legal and academic communities respond to these developments, Fineran’s situation underscores the potential consequences of misjudgment in law enforcement.

With numerous questions surrounding the incident, the community awaits further clarification on the policies that govern DUI arrests, especially when the accused is sober. The implications are vast, affecting not only the individuals involved but also broader public safety concerns.