CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF) – On Sunday afternoon, Deputy Justin Phillips saw a white Mazda truck travelling south on Hwy 116 in Caryville. The vehicle crossed the fog line on the right side of the road outside its lane almost running off the road.

Phillips initiated a traffic stop using his emergency sirens and lights. The driver of the truck was slow to react to the lights and sirens and continued driving for approximately .25 miles before coming to a stop in the road. Phillips noticed the driver of the vehicle moving around erratically inside the truck, according to a report from the sheriff’s office.

As Phillips approached the Mazda, he gave commands to the driver to exit the vehicle and come to the rear of the vehicle. According to the report the driver was asked at least four times to face away and to place his hands on his back of the vehicle. Phillips noticed a strong smell of alcohol coming from the driver identified as Steven Wayne Chandler. He was temporarily detained for the officer’s safety because he continued to ignore repeated commands and there was a passenger in the vehicle with him. Chandler was placed in the back of the patrol until back up could arrive.

Phillips asked Chandler if he was a diabetic and if he needed medical help, he reported he was not diabetic and did not need medical help. Chandler told Phillips that he had been camping the night before and that he had been drinking until around 2 am. Chandler was ask to perform field sobriety test, which he performed poorly.

Chandler, 41, 3604 Betty Lane, Knoxville was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and failure to maintain lane. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/26/2022-6AM)

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