KNOXVILLE -- Knoxville police arrested Tennessee defensive end Andrew Butcher early Sunday morning after he was found intoxicated and running around on Interstate 40.
The 18-year-old from Alpharetta, Ga., was charged with public intoxication, underage consumption and possession of alcohol and violating a controlled access roadway.
Andrew Lee ButcherButcher, who enrolled in January and went through spring practice, hasn't practiced this season after undergoing knee surgery in the summer.
According to the Knoxville Police Department arrest report, the officer responded to a drunkenness call at 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning and found Butcher running around on I-40 East near James White Parkway.
Butcher "had a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath, bloodshot water eyes, slurred speech, and was unsteady on his feet," according to the officer's report.
The player told the officer he had been drinking.
A program spokesman told multiple media outlets that Tennessee was aware of the situation and it "will be handled internally."
Butcher starred at Alpharetta High school, where he totaled 167 tackles and 23.5 sacks in his career.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.