Men speed way to DUI charges

Three different law enforcement agencies teamed up to catch two men who each wound up getting charged with DUI on Oct. 22.

Cannon County Sheriff's Sgt. Kyle Wix and Woodbury Patrolman Tommy Miller made contact on that date with Sgt. A.J. Ross of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department in the parking lot of Verizon on West Main St.

Sgt. Ross was engaged with the occupants of a silver sedan (2016 Honda Civic) and a black four-door sedan (2011 Nissan Altima).

Sgt. Ross told Sgt. Wix he was is heading into Woodbury on John Bragg Hwy. when he observed the Honda traveling at a rate of speed of 106 mph in a 65 mph zone. Sgt. Ross said as he attempted to catch up to the vehicle, the Nissan drove by him in the same direction at a speed in excess of 100 mph.

The Rutherford County officer said he continued into town to check to make sure the vehicles hadn't wrecked anywhere on the highway and came across both vehicles at Verizon.

He said as he approached them, he heard one of the drivers yelling at the other for driving so fast.

Patrolman Miller made contact with driver of the Honda. Following a series of field sobriety test, Eric Lee Wood, Rock Island, was charged with DUI 1st offense. Initial court date is set for Dec. 12.

Sgt. Wix interviewed the driver of the Nissan, Kevin Ross of Murfreesboro. Sgt. Wix immediately noticed the odor of an intoxicant and that Kevin Ross had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

Kevin Ross said he was trying to stop Wood because they had both been drinking together earlier and he thought Wood shouldn't have been driving. Kevin Ross was also charged with DUI.

Kevin Ross is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 5, while Wood will make his first appearance on Dec. 12.

• John Lee Whittemore, McMinnville, was charged with DUI and two counts of violation of the open container law on Oct. 5 by Cannon County Sheriff's Deputy Cody Phillips during a traffic stop on Highway 70S.

Deputies responded to McMinnville Highway right before the two-lane goes into a four-land on that date following a report of a vehicle swerving all over the roadway. While enroute the complainant advised Cannon County Dispatch the vehicle had come to a stop in the middle of the road.

According to arrest warrants, a bottle of Clyde May's Whiskey was found in the cup holder of Whittemore's vehicle, approximately three-fourth consumed. An open 25-ounce can of Busch Light in a brown bag was behind the passenger seat. It had been halfway consumed. According to the incident report, Whittemore admitted to consuming alcohol. A total of nine bottles of Clyde May's Whiskey bottles were found throughout the car. Total bond was set at $2,500. Initial court date is Jan. 9.