MPD officer arrested for drunk driving

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – A Memphis police officer is facing charges after he drove under the influence of alcohol and crashed into another car early Sunday morning.

Memphis Police responded to a driving under the influence call in a South 2nd Street parking garage shortly after 4:30 a.m. on May 26, 2024. According to a security guard, a black Dodge Charger crashed into the right side of her car.

On the third floor, officers saw that the Charger was still running. It was parked in a lane, the driver’s door was open, and a man was sleeping at the wheel.

Police woke up the driver, identified as Memphis police officer Joshua Bowles. Officers said Bowles appeared confused and failed a breathalyzer test. Bowles told officers he was not injured.

Bowles was taken into custody and charged with drunken driving. As is customary, Bowles was relieved of duty pending the outcome of the investigation, police said.