Child found in car; driver allegedly DUI without DL

JELLICO, TN (WLAF) – A non-working light on a 2001 Mercury sedan led to the driver of the car going to jail and the child with him being handed over to a family member that was called to the scene.

Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputy Cole West was on routine patrol last Thursday afternoon on Highway 25W just south of Jellico when a light law violation prompted a traffic stop of the Mercury driven by 51-year old William Morris of Clairfield.

At the traffic stop, Deputy West noticed a small child in the back seat of the car without a proper child restraint system or seatbelt according to the report. West described Morris as showing signs of impairment as Morris looked for paperwork requested by the deputy.

After receiving consent to search Morris, Deputy West located a crystal substance from Morris’s front jacket pocket. Based on the report, Morris allegedly performed a field sobriety test unsatisfactorily.

Morris was charged with DUI, child endangerment, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, driving while suspended, violation of the child restraint law, violation of the Tennessee financial law, and violation of the light law.

Morris remains housed in the Campbell County Jail without bond and is due in court this morning. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/26/2021-6AM)