On February 11, 2026, at approximately 10:25 p.m., the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a hit-and-run incident at a residence on Shoshone Loop in Crossville, Tennessee. The complainant reported that a dark-colored Chevrolet vehicle had driven through the yard and flower beds, striking and damaging a wooden porch post and handrail. The resident confronted the driver outside; the individual initially exited the vehicle to speak but fled the scene upon noticing a call to police was being made. A family member provided information from a recent delivery that helped identify the driver as “Chris.”

Deputies, with assistance from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, located a matching 2017 dark grey Chevrolet Malibu on Dunbar Road near Shadberry Road shortly afterward. The driver was identified as 55-year-old Christopher Steven Mesarch of Crossville. Officers noted clear signs of impairment, including a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and red, watery eyes. Mesarch admitted to drinking before driving. After being read his Miranda rights, he attempted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests but showed impairment during the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test and stopped early on the Walk and Turn test.

Deputy Jason Powers arrested Mesarch on-view around 11:15 p.m. and charged him with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage, and vandalism. Mesarch was transported for booking, and a search warrant was obtained for a blood sample, which was drawn at a medical facility before his return to intake. The vehicle was towed, and the damaged property included the porch post, handrail, and affected yard areas.

Court dates are set for March 23, 2026, and bonds totaling $7,000 across the charges.