21-year-old Matthew Bercume was charged with driving under the influence, implied consent, and failure to exercise due care after crashing into someone’s front yard and admitting to drinking as well as taking Valium.
On September 21st, Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Wallace responded to a personal injury crash at 1183 Cumberland Heights Road. Upon arrival, the trooper observed a red Pontiac Vibe in the front yard. Tropper Wallace proceeded to initiate contact with the driver, Matthew Bercume, and noticed he had slightly slurred speech and was slow to respond to questions.
The trooper then attempted to escort Bercume to his patrol car to perform field sobriety tests, but he was unable to stand on his own due to the injuries he endured during the crash. Wallace gave him tasks that did not require him to stand and Bercume performed poorly on all four tests given. When in the back of the patrol car, he admitted to consuming two alcoholic beverages that night and then to taking Valium as well once at the hospital.
Matthew Bercume was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, implied consent, and failure to exercise due care. His bond was set at $3,000 and he is no longer in custody.
