Chattanooga Police Officer David CatchingsChattanooga police detective David Ray Catchings Jr., 34, is under investigation by internal affairs after being charged with drunken driving, according to an affidavit from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and a statement from the Chattanooga Police Department.
Catchings, who works in the major crimes division, is charged with driving under the influence, violating the implied consent law and reckless driving, the agencies said. He has been placed on administrative leave.
A witness reported Catchings to police Monday morning after Catchings’ black Dodge Charger almost struck the caller’s and several other vehicles.
The caller saw the Charger weaving in the traffic lanes and followed the car until it pulled over in the parking lot of Lakewood Baptist Church at 6626 Hunter Road.
Police arrived and identified Catchings and a woman passenger, Sarah Creekmore. They found several beer bottles in the car. Neither party could remember where they were going and both admitted to drinking, according to the affidavit. Catchings failed a field sobriety test and had slurred speech, and both he and Creekmore smelled strongly of alcohol.