Andrew D. Whisenant

A 21-year-old man who allegedly went for a joyride on a stolen golf cart was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Sunday after almost hitting a car near Middle Tennessee State University.

Andrew D. Whisenant, who is listed as a freshman in the university directory, is accused of stealing an MTSU golf cart from the Murphy Center with Steven J. Almanza, a senior business major, just before 2 a.m. after a night of drinking alcohol, according to a Murfreesboro Police Department arrest report.

Within moments of taking the golf cart, Whisenant and Almanza were traveling down East Main Street when Officer Walter Breithaupt reportedly watched as the pair almost rammed into a car that he had stopped for a traffic violation near South Baird Lane.

“As the vehicle turned right on South Baird Lane, a golf cart was approaching in its lane of travel and (the driver) had to serve off the road to avoid hitting it,” Breithaupt reported. “I stopped the golf cart, released the vehicle from the traffic stop, and made contact with the two occupants.”

While speaking with them, Breithaupt reported that they appeared to be intoxicated, noting, “Whisenant had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and was unsteady on his feet.”

After Whisenant admitted to drinking alcohol, he was asked to perform field sobriety tests but could not complete them as demonstrated.

“Upon further investigation, the golf cart was the property of MTSU,” Breithaupt reported, adding he notified the MTSU Office of Public Safety, which confirmed it had been stolen and recovered the golf cart.

“When questioned, Whisenant confessed to stealing the cart and had its key on his personal key ring,” Breithaupt reported. “After speaking with Almanza, he confessed knowing it was stolen and (accompanying) Whisenant onto campus to take the cart.”

Both men were then taken into custody and transported to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, where Whisenant later refused to agree to a blood alcohol test.

Whisenant has since been charged with a first offense of driving under the influence and felony theft. He is also facing one count of the violation of the implied consent law due to his refusal at the jail.

Almanza has since been charged with public intoxication and felony theft.

In addition to the criminal charges, the university could take disciplinary action against both men for violating provisions of the student handbook and code of conduct.