Image Credit: Washington County Sheriff’s Office & Jonesborough Elementary
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
An elementary school principal in Washington County was arrested Saturday night for allegedly driving under the influence after he was seen huffing aerosol.
A Washington County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a call on Tom Pate Road around 11 p.m. after a witness reported that she had seen Jonesborough Elementary School principal Matthew Combs “consuming aerosol in order to become intoxicated.”
The witness stated that Combs drove off after the pair argued over his use of the nitrous oxide. She followed him to make sure he did not have an accident, and he eventually turned around and returned to the address.
When the deputy arrived, he found Combs sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, inhaling food-grade nitrous oxide from a blue and gold “GoldWhip” bottle. When questioned, Combs admitted to sniffing “nitrous oxide” but denied having left the driveway. He also reportedly told officers that he was not in a state where he should be driving.
The Jonesborough Elementary School website lists Combs as the current principal, but the school district has clarified that he has not been currently working in that role. He has been on a leave of absence for medical reasons since October 29.
The district also released the following statement:
“Washington County Schools was made aware of the arrest of Mr. Matt Combs occurring on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Mr. Combs will be suspended without pay from employment in Washington County Schools, effective Monday, December 16, 2024. Once the investigative process is complete, additional personnel actions that may be necessary will be considered by the Superintendent. As the district’s actions will be in accordance with our personnel policies and procedures, no further comments will be provided.
Mr. Combs is not currently actively serving as the principal at Jonesborough Elementary School. An interim principal has been assigned to JES since November 4, 2024.”
He was arrested and charged with inhaling, selling, giving, or possessing glue, paint, gasoline, aerosol, or gases for unlawful purposes.
