Wlaf1450CARYVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) -The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office participated in a sobriety checkpoint with the Tennessee Highway Patrol in Caryville on Friday, June 25. Campbell County man Steven Weaver was arrested after performing an illegal U-turn in an attempt to avoid the checkpoint.
During the checkpoint, Deputy Tim Powers noticed a black Chevrolet Avalanche complete an illegal turn. Deputy Powers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle near Vasper Baptist Church on Highway 116. According to the report, the driver, Steven Weaver told Deputy Powers that he had turned around to avoid the checkpoint because he had drunk several beers.
Deputy Powers noticed a strong odor of alcohol emitting from Weaver’s person and that his eyes were glassy. Weaver consented to perform field sobriety tests, in which he performed unsatisfactorily and was placed in custody. During an inventory of the Chevrolet Avalanche, law enforcement located two empty beer cans, one opened beer in the cup holder, and a cooler that contained an unopened beer and an opened bottle of liquor. Weaver refused to provide a sample of blood or breathe for additional testing, according to the report. He was charged with driving under the influence, violation of the implied consent law and a traffic violation for making an illegal turn.
“The Sheriff’s Office proudly participates in the Tennessee Highway Safety Office’s DUI Enforcement campaign. I would like to say thank you to the Tennessee Highway Patrol for allowing us to participate in their sobriety checkpoint this past week. I know that it was successful in keeping impaired drivers off the roads in Campbell County,” Campbell County Sheriff Robbie Goins said.
Goins said his office was glad to participate in sobriety check points with the THP. Our sheriff’s department will have additional impaired driving patrols for the holiday weekend,” said the sheriff.
“We have extra patrol multiple times a month specifically assigned to be on the lookout for signs of impaired driving. This year our department has charged 59 individuals with some form of driving under the influence. Our deputies are committed to keeping Campbell County roadways safe and we will continue to be on the lookout for impaired drivers. If you plan on consuming alcohol this holiday weekend, do the right thing: get a ride or stay put,” Goins said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/30/2021-6AM)