Former “Southern Charm” cast member Kathryn Dennis was taken into custody in South Carolina on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The 32-year-old reality TV personality was arrested on Monday evening in Goose Creek, a suburb of Charleston, following a three-car collision around 9 p.m., as per a Goose Creek Police Department report reviewed by USA TODAY on Tuesday.
Dennis was identified as the “offender” in the accident, according to statements from two victims. They reported that Dennis’ vehicle rear-ended one car, causing it to collide with another vehicle stopped at a red light. It was not specified whether the victims sustained injuries requiring hospitalization.
Accompanied by her dog, Dennis declined hospitalization after being evaluated by paramedics but agreed to undergo a field sobriety test. Following assessments of her eyes and balance, the responding officer determined there was “probable cause” for a charge of driving under the influence.
Inside Dennis’ car, several mini bottles of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky were allegedly found, some of which were open and empty. The officer also detected “an odor consistent with the odor of alcoholic beverages” emanating from Dennis.
Police charged Dennis with driving with open containers of alcohol and driving under the influence. Despite admitting to consuming alcohol earlier, Dennis refused a breath test at the police station. She was subsequently transported to a detention center, where she was assigned a court date of June 4 and a $257 bond.
TMZ initially reported the incident. USA TODAY reached out to a representative for Dennis for comment.
Dennis, a mother of two, appeared on the Bravo reality show from 2014 to 2022 and announced her departure in January 2023.
Kathryn Dennis has previously discussed her journey with sobriety and alcohol use. In 2016, she sought treatment after temporarily losing custody of her children, whom she shares with former co-star Thomas Ravenel.
Dennis expressed pride in her sobriety during an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2018, describing herself as “very proud” and feeling “mentally, spiritually, and physically healthy.” However, during the Season 6 reunion of “Southern Charm” in August 2019, she revealed that she had resumed drinking alcohol.
Dennis’ relationship with Ravenel, with whom she shares two children, was featured on the show. They separated in 2016 and engaged in a protracted custody battle. In 2019, Dennis announced that she and Ravenel had reached a joint custody arrangement concerning their children.
Ravenel, a former South Carolina state treasurer, pleaded guilty in 2007 to a federal drug charge and, in 2019, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and battery of his children’s former nanny in a 2015 incident.
During her final appearance on Season 8, Dennis dated Chleb Ravenell, but their relationship later ended.