Terry Gray
Photo courtesy of the Mason County Detention Center
WEDONIA — Robertson County Sheriff Terry Gray was arrested on Tuesday evening for allegedly driving under the influence (DUI).
Gray, 48, was arrested previously in December 2023 and August 2024 for DUIs. In 2023, he was arrested for a reported altercation that occurred at the Robertson County School while under the influence, and in 2024, he was arrested for reportedly operating a tractor under the influence.
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, he was arrested in Wedonia for a third DUI and charged with reckless driving, wanton endangerment in the first degree and official misconduct in the first degree.
According to the arresting officer, Mason County Sheriff Ryan Swolsky, he received a phone call from personnel at the May’s Lick Volunteer Fire Department that stated a white pickup truck had been observed traveling north on US 68 at a high rate of speed and flashing blue lights.
“Deputy Wagnor then called me stating that the Robertson County Sheriff was either in a pursuit in Mason County or being pursued by Kentucky State Police — he was not sure,” Swolsky stated.
He explained that he ran to his vehicle, as he could hear sirens from his residence.
“As I entered Helena Road, I saw a white pickup truck with lights and sirens activated traveling at an extremely high speed approaching to my left, with no other vehicles in sight,” Swolsky said. “As I pulled out of my driveway, this vehicle almost struck my vehicle while maintaining an extremely high rate of speed.”
Gray allegedly continued traveling east on Helena Road as Swolsky initiated his lights and sirens and attempted to stop Gray’s vehicle, which Swolsky also alleged had crossed the center line several times.
“At one point, this vehicle almost overturned into an embankment off of the right shoulder of Helena Road. This vehicle crossed KY 11 and entered a private driveway, almost overturning again into a field before coming to rest,” Swolsky stated. “Due to the recklessness in which this vehicle was traveling, proceeded to initiate a high-risk traffic stop on this vehicle.”
Swolsky detained Gray and noted that he was allegedly wearing a uniform “with Sheriff insignia on it,” and had handcuffs and a firearm in his possession. He added that he could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage on Gray.
“He told Deputy Wagner that he ‘lost’ a vehicle he was looking for once he got close to the Robertson/Mason Line near US 68,” Swolsky explained. “He stated that he was just ‘trying to find him’ and ‘never saw him’ after that point, but proceeded to travel speeds in excess of ‘110 miles per hour’ while looking for this vehicle in Mason County.”
According to Swolsky, Gray declined both a preliminary breath test and the standardized field sobriety tests before being taken to the Mason County Detention Center, where he was read an implied consent and submitted a breath test.
Gray’s arrest citation stated that his B.A. was .226. In Kentucky, a person is considered impaired if a breath test measures .08 or higher.
“In his pocket, Deputy Wagner located a miniature bottle of ‘Fireball’ whiskey. Gray asked to speak with me in the Sally Port, he told me that he was ‘not that drunk’,” Swolsky said.
Gray is scheduled to appear at the Mason County Court for an arraignment on Monday, Oct. 13.
