DUI charges against Titans tight end Brandon Barden were dismissed, after the arresting officer failed to show up for court.
Barden was arrested in Lincoln County, Georgia in February after a single-car wreck, after which he refused blood alcohol tests.
Officer Christopher Treadwell wrote in his report that Barden lost control of his SUV, hit a ditch and flipped one and a half times. The report also said Treadwell could “smell a strong odor of alcohol.”
But according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean, those charges were thrown out because of “lack of prosecution.”
“If the officer doesn’t show for court, everything is dismissed,’’ said Debbie Pruett of the Lincoln County probate office. “Brandon had an attorney and she requested it be dismissed for a lack of prosecution and the judge had no bearing to change it. It’s completely closed. . . .
“It is rare that they don’t [show up], but I think the officer had worked the night shift.”
Barden’s case can still be reviewed by the league for possible discipline.
A former undrafted rookie from Vanderbilt, Barden played in three games last year, and has been participating in offseason workouts with the Titans.