LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A non-working brake light ended with a LaFollette woman in jail. Last week, LaFollette Police Officer Zack Daugherty saw a vehicle sitting at a traffic light with only one operating brake light. Daugherty saw the vehicle turn left onto East Central Avenue making a wide turn causing the vehicle to cross the fog line of the road.

It was late Thursday night (Sep. 7), and the officer then observed through radar that the vehicle was traveling 50 mph in a 40 mph zone. Daugherty started his in dash camera to record the vehicles driving patterns. The vehicle made a right turn onto South Cumberland Avenue in a wide fashion causing the vehicle to cross the center line of the road. The vehicle then turned left onto East Beech Street, and Daugherty stopped the vehicle in the parking lot of Trinity Baptist Church.

Patrolman Daugherty made contact with the driver, identified as Emma Sue Rutherford. Daugherty noticed that Rutherford was sweating profusely, unable to stay still constantly fidgeting her body and speaking extremely fast.

According to a report from the LaFollette Police Department, when Rutherford was asked for her drivers license and insurance information, she fumbled for the documents, and it took longer than average time to provide the documents. 

Rutherford was asked if she had any medical conditions, and she reported that she had Rheumatoid Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure. She was asked to step out of the vehicle, and Daugherty noticed that she was unsteady on her feet as she exited. He explained his cause for concern and requested that she complete seated field sobriety testing, which she performed unsatisfactorily.

Rutherford, 63, 311 South Cumberland, LaFollette, was charged with driving under the influence (DUI), violation light law and failure to maintain lane. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/15/2023-6AM)

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