Tennessee Highway Patrol Officers Fired, One Arrested After Trooper-Caused Car Accident

Image Credit: Tennessee Highway Patrol / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

Three Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Officers were quietly terminated from the department in June after a trooper-caused car crash earlier this year. 

On January 18, 2025, THP trooper Adam Potts was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 64 just outside of Savannah, TN, and left the scene of the accident, initially telling law enforcement a family member had been driving. After an investigation was launched by the department, Potts supposedly admitted he was the driver.

In a lengthy statement posted to Facebook by a friend and co-worker regarding his termination in late June, Potts states he was reading a text message while driving, causing him to sideswipe a concrete barrier which blew out the left front tire and airbag in his personal vehicle. 

Potts announced he was on his way to end his life but said the whole experience led him back to God. “I had 20 shot bottles of Vodka and a fifth of Fireball Whiskey in the bed of the truck that was unopened. My plan that night was to go to Shiloh Park and drink all the whiskey and end my life by suicide…… but God had a different plan.”

He then left the scene of the accident to seek medical attention before THP troopers could arrive as his face was bleeding from a cut made by the airbag, but admits he lied to two other now-terminated troopers. 

“I lied to Sgt. Drinkard and Trp. Milholen that night and told them that my son had been driving the truck and that we didn’t need a report because the truck was not worth the $1500 threshold for a crash report. They had great trust in me and had no reason to believe that I would lie to them about anything,” he wrote. He further laments that these two THP officers were “brought into my demise”.

The narrative then turns to Potts’ explanation of the circumstances leading to his being “empty on the inside”, describing his questioning of God’s goodness and existence because of the “horrific deaths” he has witnessed over his 15-year career with the THP. He says the despondency made him, “very numb to emotions and feelings and turned to alcohol instead of God,” drinking a fifth “just to try to get a few hours of sleep and peace of mind.” 

Potts also chastises the THP department, claiming he was a disposable asset. “I put the Tennessee Highway Patrol before everything in my life. Before family, friends, and God. I was giving the best of me to THP and the troopers under my leadership. Sadly, when I had no more good to offer they were done with me. When I told my captain that I had lied to him and that I was an alcoholic and was planning to kill myself he told me to, ‘just get a glass of milk instead of whisky and get some rest.’ When I told the colonel and lieutenant colonel I was an alcoholic and wanted to die and had thoughts of suicide he said, ‘We will get you some help.’” 

He says these conversations happened in late January but that he never heard back from his superiors, instead receiving a termination letter and warrant for his arrest five months later. 

Offering apologies to the community, he now asserts he has found help and is on the road to recovery. “Thank God I didn’t wait for his help because if I had waited, I would be dead right now. I’m fortunate to have had a mother, daughter, wife, sister, brother, and a few friends that prayed for me and that were proactive in finding me the help I needed. Sgt. Drinkard researched many rehabilitation centers and found Warriors Heart in Bandera, TX that specialize in treatment for military and first responders. It’s a dual treatment center for alcohol/drug addiction and PTSD.”

Community reactions have been mixed, with some expressing sympathy and well-wishes for recovery while others question the integrity of the department and seemingly lenient treatment of Potts and the other two troopers, including asking why he was not tested for DUI the night of the crash. Some also believe Potts’ apology to be an insincere attempt to subvert accountability for the matter.

Potts was a decorated and distinguished member of THP with accomplishments including a promotion to Lieutenant in 2019 and graduating from an intensive leadership and management education program at the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command in November of 2024, just months before this incident.

There is very little additional publicly available or accessible information on the case, and it remains unclear as to why the other two troopers were terminated from the department in connection with this incident. THP has released only this statement: “Lt. Adam Potts, Sgt. Darby Drinkard, and Trooper Terry Milholen were all terminated for the good of the service and for cause, due to violations of departmental policies.” 

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.