Tennessee State Senator Ken Yager, a longtime Republican lawmaker and current chair of the Senate Republican Caucus, has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge following his December 3, 2024 arrest in Glynn County, Georgia. The incident stemmed from a reported hit-and-run crash involving Yager while he was vacationing in the beach resort town of Jekyll Island.
While charges related to hit-and-run, failure to stop, and failure to yield were dropped as part of a plea agreement, Yager, 78, accepted legal punishment for the DUI offense without formally admitting guilt. His "no contest" plea led to the completion of 40 hours of community service, attendance in DUI education programs, and the case’s resolution as a misdemeanor rather than a felony.
The charge of "DUI Less Safe" in Georgia is distinct from traditional DUI charges. Under this classification, a motorist can be found guilty even if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is below the legal limit of 0.08%, as long as the prosecution can demonstrate that alcohol impaired their ability to drive safely.
In Yager’s case, however, the recorded BAC was 0.14%, nearly double the legal limit, and he refused a blood test after being taken into custody. According to police, he admitted to drinking “a couple of glasses of wine” and was found by officers in a market parking lot, receiving medical assistance after falling. He allegedly left the scene of a crash believing “everyone was okay.”
In a public statement, Yager said:
“I take full responsibility for my actions on December 3rd. Drinking and driving is a very serious matter. It will never happen again.”
He acknowledged falling short of his personal and professional values and apologized to his family, friends, and constituents.
Because the offense was charged as a misdemeanor and not a felony, Senator Yager will not face expulsion from the Tennessee Senate under its current rules. However, the situation raises critical concerns about public trust, accountability, and equal application of justice, especially when elected officials are involved.
At Haggard Crime Victim Attorney, a division of The Haggard Law Firm, we represent victims whose lives are shattered by the decisions of drunk drivers. Even when a crash does not result in immediate fatality, the act of driving under the influence places lives in grave danger and often leads to:
Catastrophic injuries
Psychological trauma
Long-term disabilities
Wrongful deaths
Our legal team is highly experienced in navigating both criminal and civil avenues of justice. Even if the criminal justice system issues reduced charges or light penalties, we help victims pursue compensation through civil lawsuits, including:
Pain and suffering
Medical bills
Loss of income
Emotional damages
Whether the at-fault driver is a stranger, public official, or professional, you have the right to seek legal recourse if you’ve been harmed by their negligence. A DUI-related crash can be complex, but our team will:
Investigate the full facts of the incident
Collect supporting evidence (including police reports, BAC results, witness statements)
Determine if overservice occurred (Dram Shop Law)
Fight for maximum compensation in court or settlement
No one is above the law—especially when their actions risk the lives of others. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a drunk driving incident, contact Haggard Crime Victim Attorney today.
We are fierce advocates for victims and their families, holding all responsible parties accountable. Let us help you recover the justice and compensation you deserve.
Schedule your free case evaluation now and take the first step toward healing and accountability.
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