Man Runs Through Stop Sign Into DUI Charge



A man who allegedly ran through a stop sign he claims he didn’t see was charged with DUI on May 28.

Cannon County Sheriff’s Deputy Seth Perry reports he saw a black Ford Ranger run the stop sign at the intersection of Dickens Hill and Dug Hollow roads in Bradyville on May 28. Deputy Perry performed a traffic stop on the vehicle across from the Bradyville Post Office.

Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy observed the driver’s side window was up. Deputy Perry asked the driver to roll the window down, and when he did so the deputy immediately smelled a strong odor consistent with an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver.

The driver identified himself as Robert James Easterwood (6550 Hollow Springs Rd., Bradyville). Deputy Perry informed Easterwood he was stopped because he ran the stop sign without even slowing down. Easterwood said he did not see a stop sign.

Deputy Perry ran a check of Easterwood’s license and learned it was suspended. He returned to the truck and asked Easterwood if he had been drinking. Easterwood said he had had a few drinks earlier, the last one a few hours before being stopped.

The deputy had Eastwood exit the truck. Easterwood did and stumbled while doing so. Deputy Perry observed Easterwood swaying while he was standing still.

Following a series of field sobriety tests, Easterwood was placed under arrest for DUI. He was taken first to Stones River Hospital for a blood alcohol content test and then to the Cannon County Jail. He was also issued a warning ticket for running a stop sign and a release citation for driving on a suspended license.

Bond was set at $2,000. Initial court date is July 12.