JCPS officer arrested and found passed out in McDonald’s drive-thru

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) police officer faces multiple charges after he was found passed out in a McDonald’s drive-thru lane, according to court documents.

Christopher Minniear, 51, was arrested May 6 after multiple people called Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) about a man drinking alcohol in the drive-thru lane of a McDonald’s in the Auburndale neighborhood.

An employee told police that Minniear had been passed out in the thoroughfare for about an hour.

When police arrived at the McDonald’s location at 3rd Street Road and Bruce Avenue, Minniear was found in his official government vehicle parked in several parking lots on Bruce Avenue. His JCPS safety gear was in the back seat, LMPD said.

As officers approached the vehicle, Minniear opened the driver’s door and poured a dark brown liquid that smelled of alcohol from a cup, according to his arrest warrant.

LMPD said he was acting “erratically” and when asked about the liquid, he told officers he urinated in the cup.

A probable cause search revealed a large alcohol bottle containing dark liquid under the passenger side floorboard that was partially consumed, the report continued.

Witnesses told police they saw him drinking a Bud Light, which Minniear denied, but officers also reportedly found a partially consumed can of Bud Light in the armrest of the center console.

The citation said Minniear admitted to drinking a shot of alcohol, but his actions led police to believe he was under the influence of other substances. Minniear told police that he had prescription medication in the vehicle but was unsure where it was.

LMPD found four hydrocodone and two Ambien pills hidden in a McDonald’s burger box. The citation said Minniear later explained that the pills were non-prescription medications.

A field sobriety test was performed and his BAC was 0.019. However, some tests were not conducted because Minniear said he previously suffered a back and leg injury that prevented him from walking properly and maintaining balance.

Authorities believe Minniear tried to hide the alcohol and drugs to avoid detection.

Minniear was charged with possession of an open alcoholic beverage in a vehicle, tampering with evidence, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a prescription controlled substance not in the proper container.

Make it easy to stay up to date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android User.

Do you have a news tip? E-mail [email protected]visit our Facebook site or Twitter feed.