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Wlaf1450Driver leads La Follette Police to suspected drunk driver
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Late Thursday night, La Follette Police Dispatch alerted officers a driver was traveling west into La Follette following a suspected impaired driver.
The driver was behind a 1995 green Dodge Dakota and described the pick-up as repeatedly weaving between lanes and crossing into both the left and right lanes, the report said. The truck was driving in the center median and ran over a curb and then turned into the drive-thru of the Red Roof Market, according to the driver who had called 911.
Upon arrival and before entering the parking lot of the Red Roof, LPD Officer Dillon Marney saw the suspect slumped over the steering wheel of the Dodge, based on the police report. Marney made contact with the driver, Jerry Walters, and noticed the truck still in gear, and the brakes engaged on the idling vehicle.
Marney observed Walters allegedly having droopy eyelids, bloodshot eyes and dazed demeanor, according to the report from LPD.
It was noted in Marney’s report that as Walters exited his truck, he stumbled to the side of his truck, and was holding his wallet having difficulty placing money inside his wallet. Walters was asked for his driver’s license to which he replied he did not have it, because he just turned it in after a recent DUI in Anderson County.
Dispatch informed Marney that Walters license was suspended. Walters has four prior DUI convictions, according to dispatch.
Prior to refusing a field sobriety test and a blood and/or breath test, Walters consented to a search of his person and truck. Located in Walters wallet was an unopened container of 24 Suboxone strips, and in the truck 35 Clolazipram pills were found in a clear plastic bag, based on the police report.
Walters, 55, of 142 Pearl Street, Caryville, was charged with DUI, violation of the implied consent law, driving on a revoked/suspended/cancelled driver’s license, possession of schedule III and IV. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/20/2026-6AM)