Sheriff's Deputies Make Two DUI Arrests



Two persons were arrested by deputies with the Cannon County Sheriff's Department in recent days for allegedly driving under the influence.

A Hermitage woman was charged with DUI, simple possession of marijuana and violation of the implied consent law on Jan. 19 following an accident on John Bragg Highway.

Cannon County Sheriff's Deputy Lawrence Avera arrested Shelby Kristy Toosi following his investigation of the accident. According to Deputy Avera's report, Toosi performed poorly on all field sobriety checks. She appeared confused and uncoordinated. The deputy found a small amount of what appeared to be marijuana in the vehicle. After being placed under arrest, Toosi refused to take a blood alcohol content test. Her initial court date is March 1.

• Deputy Lawrence Avera was dispatched to the 7573 block of Auburntown Road pn Jan. 17 in reference to a single vehicle accident. Prior to arrival Deputy Avera was advised by dispatch it was unknown if injuries were sustained during the accident. Deputy Tommy Barker was the first unit to arrive on the scene. Deputy Avera was advised by Deputy Barker that the driver,  Justin Waylon West, 19563 Highway 96, Auburntown, was in the EMS vehicle getting checked out.

West refused treatment and stepped out of the ambulance. Deputy Avera could smell an odor consistent with alcohol coming from West. Deputy Avera had West perform a series of field sobriety tests. According to Deputy Avera's report, West performed them unsatisfactorily.

West said he was driving home after dropping off his girlfriend off at her house and fell asleep at the wheel and that is what caused the wreck. He said after the wreck he realized how damaged his truck was and he figured he was going to be in a lot of trouble with his parents so for anxiety purposes he decided to drink a fifth of wine he had in the truck and he said that's he smelled of alcohol.

West said he sat there one or two hours drinking before officers arrived. After Deputy Avera spike with a resident of the area who reported the incident, West was placed under arrest for DUI and transported to Stones River Hospital where a blood alcohol test was administered. He was then transported to the Cannon County Jail. West truck was towed by Pelham's Wrecker Service. Initial court date is March 1.

In other recent events involving sheriff's deputies:

• Deputy Matthew Parsley was dispatched to the area of Seals Hollow Rd. on Jan. 5 in regards to a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival it was discovered that a white Ford Explorer registered to Rachel Szoka, 9201 Magnum Drive, Dickson, was overturned in a creek. Upon further investigation it was discovered the operator of the vehicle had left prior to Deputy Parsley's arrival. Pelham's Wrecker Service was contacted to to retrieve the vehicle. Several attempts to contact Szoka were unsuccessful. On Jan. 16, Szoka spoke with Deputy Parsley at the sheriff's department. She said she swerved to miss a deer and flipped her vehicle. She said she was scared and didn't know to notify police. Szoka was issued citations for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to make notification of an accident. Pelham's was notified that the hold on the vehicle was lifted. Szoka currently resides in Murfreesboro. Initial court date is March 1.

* Deputy Reed Bryson reported that on Jan. 18 William Owen Hass, 1769 Petty Gap Rd., Woodbury, was involved in a property damage accident on Burt Road. When asked, Hass was unable to provide proof of insurance. He was cited for violation of the financial responsibility law. Initial court date is Feb. 8.