LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- A speeding pick-up truck was easily spotted as a La Follette Police Officer was on routine patrol very early Tuesday morning. “I was traveling west on East Central Avenue and saw a Chevy Silverado going the other way speeding 70 miles per hour in a 40 MPH zone,” stated Officer Dillon Marney in his police report.

It was around 1am, when the Chevy was driving in the center dotted lines between the fast lane and the right lane, and continued at a high rate of speed after Marney activated his cruiser’s emergency lights, according to the report. The driver of the pick-up pulled over where Myers Lane meets Stiner Highway.

Upon making contact with the driver, Manuel Zapien, Officer Marney writes in his report that a strong odor of alcoholic beverages was coming from the truck and Zapien’s eyes were bloodshot, watery and glossy, and his speech was slurred. Zapien allegedly told the officer he had had a couple of beers prompting Officer Marney to ask Zapien if he was OK with doing a few tests to make sure he was safe to drive, and he replied yes.

Officer Marney assisted Zapien as he exited his truck to the front of the patrol car to begin a sobriety test. After refusing to follow instructions, Zapien stated he did not understand what the officer was saying. Zapien then stated “just to take him to jail”, based on the report. Zapien was placed into custody.

La Follette Police Lieutenant Shane Tielman arrived and conducted a tow slip inventory of the truck and found an empty Four Loko alcoholic beverage container in the front passenger floorboard and another, unopened of the same brand, behind the driver’s seat.

Officer Marney attempted to read the Tennessee Blood or Breath Consent Advisement to Zapien when he stated he doesn’t speak English and only speaks Spanish. Zapien was transported to police headquarters so he could read a Spanish version of the advisement to which Zapien said he could not read at all. He was then transported to the county jail.

Zapien, 38, of 158 Baxter Lane, La Follette, was freed later Tuesday on a $2,000, released on his own recognizance (ROR), bond, and his next court date is October 29, according to jail records.

Charges levied against Zapien are DUI (driving under the influence), speeding 70 in a 40, reckless driving, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and violation of the implied consent law. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/21/2024-6AM)

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