LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A La Follette woman, charged with damaging the buildings of two businesses while she was allegedly driving under the influence, is due in court this morning. Damage was reported early Friday at Tobacco Mercantile #3 on the east side of La Follette. A while later, at 10am, the manager of Hardee’s on the west end of La Follette called authorities about damage to the building and signage.

La Follette Police Patrolman Shane Tielman learned the vehicle involved in the tobacco store hit and run was a U-Haul truck, a 2012 Ford Econoline. Additionally, Tielman obtained the Arizona license plate number of the truck. However, as officers looked for the U-Haul, they couldn’t locate it.

A while later, the woman, Loretta Renea Heck-Wright allegedly caused damage at Hardee’s in what witnesses described as the same U-Haul. Patrolman Zack Daugherty arrived before Heck-Wright was able to get away.

In the LPD report, Heck-Wright is suspected of striking the building housing Tobacco Mercantile #3 in the Mountain Rock Plaza. Heck-Wright reportedly was attempting to go through the drive-thru and left the scene.

At Hardee’s, Heck-Wright drove through the drive-thru striking and damaging a menu board and the ceiling of the drive-thru, the report said.

Heck-Wright offered no valid explanation to Daugherty when he asked her about leaving the scene of the crash at the tobacco store, according to the report. Daugherty said when Heck-Wright stepped out of the U-Haul, she was extremely unsteady on her feet having to brace herself with the U-Haul. Heck-Wright agreed to a field sobriety test and, based on the report, performed poorly.

Charges levied against Heck-Wright, 55, 210 Brooke Place Lane, La Follette, are DUI (driving under the influence), possession of a handgun while under the influence, hit and run and leaving the scene of an accident. Bond for Heck-Wright is $5,000 secure. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/25/2023-6AM)

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