NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A former Nashville Predator was arrested this weekend and faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence (DUI).
According to Nolensville police, calls began coming in just before 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Multiple callers reported a blue Tesla driving “recklessly” around Nolensville Road and Brittain Lane. However, when officers responded to the area, they did not find the Tesla.
At around 3:25 p.m., Nolensville police received another call: a blue Tesla had just been involved in a hit-and-run crash with a white Cadillac Escalade in a nearby subdivision.
“There were no injuries reported in the accident,” officer Christina Sabol with the Nolensville Police Department told News 2.
Then, the same blue Tesla reportedly entered Brentwood city limits and struck a mailbox.
“[There were] multiple witness statements indicating that Martin Erat was the driver of the blue Tesla,” Sabol added.
Erat, 43, played with the Nashville Predators for 11 seasons. Brentwood police confirmed authorities arrested Erat, but did not provide further comment on the investigation.
According to a website for the Nashville Warriors, which is a tier 2 hockey program, Erat has served as the director of hockey and player development. Erat has also served as head coach for the Nashville Jr. Predators 12U program.
News 2 visited the Nolensville rink where the Nashville Warriors call home and found many young skaters practicing on the ice. Multiple coaches at the rink told News 2 they were unaware of Erat’s arrest.
Steve Brunett, who grew up playing hockey in Michigan but has been in Middle Tennessee for 31 years, said he didn’t know Erat had been arrested.
“It’s unfortunate that he didn’t set a little bit better [of an] example, but I am sure he will probably change his ways and [this will] hopefully make a better person out of him,” Brunett said. “Hopefully, these guys will look at it as a mistake.”
Erat was charged with failure to exercise due care, leaving the scene of a crash and a first DUI offense. As of publication, Erat is out on a $30,000 bond.
