Birmingham councilman arrested for DUI after passing out in city vehicle in south Alabama, police say

Birmingham City Councilman J.T. Moore was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in a city vehicle early Sunday morning in south Alabama.

Moore, who serves as the chair of the Community Development Committee and is a member of the Public Safety Committee, was taken into custody along Interstate 65 in the predawn hours.

The Creola Police Department received a call at 3:55 a.m. Sunday about a possible intoxicated driver near the 20-mile marker on I-65. When officers arrived, they found Moore's black Chevrolet Tahoe, with a blue municipal tag, pulled over on the side of the interstate. 

Creola Police Chief Shane Stringer said the driver was passed out inside the vehicle. Officers attempted to wake him by banging on the window, and once Moore regained consciousness, they opened the door. The smell of alcohol was immediately noticeable.

Moore admitted to having been drinking, prompting officers to forgo a field sobriety test on the highway for safety reasons. Instead, Moore was taken to the Saraland Police Department, where he was given both a breathalyzer and field sobriety tests. According to Chief Stringer, Moore "failed all of the above."

Moore was booked into the Mobile Metro County Jail and later released at 12:58 p.m. The vehicle, registered to the City of Birmingham, was towed from the scene.

“The officers contacted me early that morning and told me they had arrested a Birmingham councilman for DUI,” Chief Stringer said.

City officials and Moore have not yet responded to requests for comment.