CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF) – An observant bystander recently alerted an officer to the possibility of a drunk driver. Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputy Preston Mullins was sitting in his patrol car on Sunday at the Rocky Top Shell station when he was approached by an unknown bystander.

The individual told Mullins about a male who was possibly intoxicated and driving a vehicle. The individual pointed out a white Subaru Forrester and advised that the man operating the vehicle smelled like alcohol and was slurring his speech. Mullins saw the man stagger through the pump area and get into the driver’s seat of the vehicle. He then allegedly left the parking lot turning onto John McGhee Blvd where he made a wide turn from Hwy 116 onto Hwy 25. The vehicle then turned from Hwy 25 onto I-75, according to a report from the sheriff’s department.

While Mullins was following the car, he saw the driver make an abrupt lane change, cross over the yellow fog line and swerve back into the lane. At this point, Mullins made a traffic stop where he spoke with driver, identified as Corey Wilder Wilson, and the passenger, Erika Haff. When Mullins attempted to introduce himself and tell the driver the reason for the stop, Wilson interrupted him. The man said his six- month- old child was home crying, and he was in a hurry to get home and would appreciate it if Mullins would just let him go. Mullins noticed a smell of alcohol coming from the Subaru. Mullins asked for his driver’s license, and Wilson did not give him one. When asked if he had a valid driver’s license, Wilson stated he did not know if it was still good or not. A check of the license showed it was revoked for DUI (driving under the influence). Mullins observed that Wilson man was allegedly sweaty and slurring his speech.

Wilson was asked to step out of the car to do field sobriety tests, when he assured Mullins that he was not intoxicated and begged Wilson to let him go. Wilson was asked if he had taken any medications, used any illegal substances or consumed any alcohol, and he allegedly denied having done so.

After failing the field sobriety tests, Mullins asked Wilson where he was coming from, and he responded they were traveling back from a funeral in Kentucky was headed to Anderson County. Mullins walked back to the Subaru and spoke with the passenger who stated they were not coming back from a funeral in Kentucky. She reported they were coming from Ride Royal Blue in Stinking Creek, and they had been drinking liquor and riding around. She also reported that Wilson had been smoking some kind of illegal substance earlier in the night but did not know what kind.

A warrant check revealed that both occupants had active warrants from Knox County.

Wilson, 30, 512 7th Street, Knoxville was charged with failure to maintain lane, improper lane change, driving under influence (DUI), driving while revoked, drivers to exercise due care and reckless endangerment.

Erika Niccole Haff, 243 Alhambra Rd, Oak Ridge was charged with simple possession of schedule V controlled substance and FTA warrant. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/15/2021-6AM)

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