FRANKLIN, Tenn. -
A Franklin woman faces bribery charges after she allegedly offered money to an officer to let her go after she rear-ended a vehicle while intoxicated Thursday night.
The incident occurred just before 10 p.m. at Mack Hatcher and Murfreesboro Road.
Police said that Dana Rich was impaired at the time of the accident and drove her car into another vehicle that was stopped at a red light.
"It actually pushed them out into the intersection," said Sergeant Charles Warner.
Authorities told Nashville's News 2 Investigates when the 40-year-old woman was being taken into custody she became belligerent with officers.
On the way to jail, Rich repeatedly offered to write the arresting officer a check for $1,000 to let her go.
A conversation between Rich and the officer was recorded with a camera located inside the squad car.
In the audio recording Rich is heard saying, "I'll write you a check for a grand just not to do this. I would $#&*&^ write you a check for a thousand dollars right now. Yeah, I swear to God I would. I have it in my purse."
After a few minutes, Rich realizes her conversation with the officer is being recorded and can be heard saying, "Forget it. I'm not writing a check for $1,000. [I was] just joking."
Sergeant Warner said, "She did try to bribe him. She offered him $1,000 to let her go. Anyone who wears a badge should be offended."
He continued, "Where this all went wrong is when she got behind wheel of car after she had too much to drink. It's a night she cannot take back."
Rich is charged with DUI, bribery of a public servant and no proof of insurance among other charges.
Authorities said the bribery charge is considered a Class B felony.
She has been released on a $9,500 bond.
Rich is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
A passenger was injured in the vehicle that Rich rear-ended.
The victim was taken to an area hospital and was treated and released for minor injuries.
