December DUI arrests

Nashville DUI Arrests December, 2011:

325 arrested.

228 Male 95 Female

118 Breath Tests. Average BAC .157

41 Blood Tests

153 Refusals

Highest BAC: .28

Franklin Sobriety Checkpoint Dedicated to Millie Webb and family

Congratulations to the Franklin Police Department for their recent sobriety checkpoint and their work to bring Millie Webb's story to the public. Congratulations to the Tennessean and it's writer Charles Pulliam for outstanding coverage of the story. Millie was crushed and burned 41 years ago. She lost her 4 year old daughter and 19 month old nephew. She was 7 months pregnant and her daughter, Kara, was born prematurely and blind. Millie has spent the last 41 years either in hospitals or fighting against impaired driving. She worked with President Clinton to lower the BAC levels for per se DUI to .08 nationally. She keeps working to save lives and prevent others from having to suffer the way she has suffered.

Read about the checkpoint and about Millie at:

Woman relives tragic crash as DUI checkpoint dedicated | The Tennessean | tennessean.com

Monitoring the Future

The annual University of Michigan survey of 10th-12th grade high school students has been released. There are now twice as many 12th graders smoking marijuana than cigarettes!

Here are some highlights from the 2011 Monitoring the Future survey:

The percentage of 12th graders who admit to using:

Cigarettes: 18.5%

Marijuana: 36.5%

Alcohol: 63.5%

Synthetic marijuana like K2: 11.4%

Driving in France? Bring an alcohol breathalyzer!

A new law in France goes into effect in time for summer, which will make it obligatory for all drivers in France to have an alcohol breathalyser with them at all times. It is the latest part of a clampdown on road deaths and accidents by President Nicolas Sarkozy, who last week announced the latestin a series of hard-hitting road safety measures.

From the end of spring, all drivers in France will now be required to carry the personal alcohol testers in their vehicles.The breathalysers will become available at reasonable prices throughout France – some for as little as €2.

Rest in Peace Judge Bob Moon

I, like so many others, was shocked and stunned to hear that Judge Bob Moon in Chattanooga passed away from a sudden heart attack. Judge Moon was a devoted, hard working Judge, who handled massive dockets every week. He was such a fixture in Chattanooga that everyone took for granted that he would be there for another decade. Judge Moon was very active in supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs in Chattanooga. He was also an avid outdoorsman. The picture shows him speaking about Deputy Don Bond, who was killed serving Hamilton County in 2003. Rest in peace Judge Moon. You will be missed.

DUI 9th Conviction Affirmed

Congratulations to LaTasha Wassom, our DUI prosecutor in the 8th Judicial District and to Fentriss County Deputy Michael Moon and a Good Samaritan citizen for their efforts in this case. The defendant had a jury trial and was granted a delayed appeal. That resulted in an Appellate Court decision nearly six years after this 9th offender ran off the road on a sharp curve. He received a four year sentence. Read the opinion at:

http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/wakefieldhoraceoscaropn.pdf

Cops in Court Class

Congratulations to the 30 officers, who completed our 8 hour Cops in Court class Wednesday in Jonesborough. Thanks to the folks at the Welcome Center and Court House for the use of their facilities and the Washington County Sheriff's office for providing support and assistance. The goal of this class is to help officers maintain credibility and professionalism during the rigors of courtroom. Thanks to ADA's (Lance, Erin and Robin) who helped in the afternoon hours.

6th offender on bond gets a pass on SCRAM requirement

Channel 4 News in Nashville has run a story that examines a situation in which a 6th DUI offender with a vehicular fatality in his background was released after failing to comply with a bond condition that he have a SCRAM ankle bracelet as a bond condition. The offender never got the SCRAM. He appeared in Court and got fussed at a bit. Then he was sent on his merry way until March with instructions to do what he was previously ordered to do.

The story includes quotes from Millie Webb. Millie as many of us know was nearly burnt to death in a car crash with an impaired driver about 40 years ago. She recently had two more surgeries due to that crash and if I am not mistaken has had over 30 major surgeries. She is motivated by a desire to save others from having to suffer the way she has suffered.

The system we use for bond, which relies on the offender and bondsman to make sure the Court's orders are followed does not come out looking good in this story!

Read the story at:

Former M.A.D.D. leader upset after man freed on 6th DUI - WSMV Channel 4

For the love of hydrocodone

How low can a drug seeker go? How about a man dressing like a woman and posing as his deceased sister to try and get her prescription?

Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. Read about this event, which occurred in Athens, Tn here:

Tennessee man wears wig and poses as dead sister for drugs

DUI Detection and SFST class

Congratulations to the 17 officers who completed their DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety training class hosted by the Cookeville police for the last 3 days. Excellent work by Steve Dillard and his team.

Drugged Driving in the News

The Kingsport Times News recently ran a story about drugged driving. It focused on several cases that occurred in Rogersville. The author, Jeff Bobo, captured the problem and included national and state data for the article. Read it at:

Drugged driving growing problem across Tennessee - Kingsport Times-News

User Beware; Bath Salts Will Eat Your Flesh

The following article appeared on wwltv.com in New Orleans

'Bath salts' street drug source of flesh eating bacteria

wwltv.com

Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:28 PM

Chelsea Gaudin / Eyewitness News

NEW ORLEANS – An injection of the street drug known as “bath salts” is the newest source of a flesh eating infection, according to the LSU Health Sciences Center.
It is hard to diagnose because a majority of the damage rages below the surface of the skin.“As ‘bath salts’ gain popularity, medical centers of all disciplines must be prepared to identify not only the signs of intoxication, but the potential side effects including deadly necrotizing fasciitis,” noted Dr. Russell R. Russo.

A woman, 34, came to the emergency room complaining of a pain in her forearm. Doctors did not realize it was due to a “bath salt” injection until rapidly progressing redness, skin sloughing, and drainage occurred. She immediately went under surgery, in which doctors said that the infection moved so fast, healthy tissue was dying before their eyes. They had to continuously remove tissue until they reached a clear margin, however, the patients arm, shoulder and collarbone had to be amputated.

“Despite the drug’s legal status, it must be treated as illicit, and one must be suspicious when examining a patient with this clinical history because the diagnosis of flesh-eating bacteria can masquerade as abscesses and cellulitis,” says Dr. Russo.

This particular bacteria has a rapid timeline to tissue destruction and lose of life, according to LSUHSC.

The best treatment comes in the form a a swift diagnosis and extensive surgery.

8 year sentence for impaired driver who paralyzed child

"I'm devastated; I feel like a monster," Colbert said. "I started to cry when I heard the injuries. ... I understand now how precious life is, and I almost took it from three people, myself included."
Kristopher Colbert, 25, regrets his actions now. On the night of the crash he was not thinking about meeting 6 year old Emily Mills when he got behind the wheel inebriated. In fact three people tried to stop him from driving.
Read about this tragedy in the Clarksville Leaf Chricle at:

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20120111/CRIME/201110324/Man-gets-8-years-in-DUI-wreck-that-paralyzed-Clarksville-child?odyssey=tabtopnewstextFRONTPAGE

Driving while intexicated

Channel 9 News in Chattanooga ran a story last night about a new campaign to abolish the practice of texting and driving. Excellent work by Sgt. Mark Kimsey and Channel 9 reporter John Pless. Watch the story at:

Campaign To Stop "Driving While Intexticated" | driving, texting, people - WTVC NewsChannel 9: Chattanooga News, Weather, Radar, Sports, Lottery

Meth cooking in a coat pocket

The Dyersburg State Gazette reports that Coulter Gourley, 21, had meth cooking in a bottle in his coat pocket. Read about this genius at:

Dyersburg State Gazette: Local News: Sheriff's narcotics officers arrest suspect with meth lab in coat pocket (01/10/12)

10 years for DUI killer

Jeffrey Knight received two 10 year sentences for killing a 21 year old Brittany Thomas and her 10 month old baby, Aiden. He was ordered to prison after a sentencing hearing in the Court of Judge David Duggan in Blount County.

The Maryville Daily Times reported that the sentencing hearing involved the family of the victims and the defendant. Knight killed after drinking shots before driving to work.

The Daily Times report captures the emotion of the hearing and is recommended. Congratulations to Ryan Desmond and Clint Frazier for the efforts as prosecutors and Sgt Hank Morris for his work reconstructing this tragic crash.

Read about it at:

The Daily Times - Jeffrey Knight gets 10 years in prison for vehicular homicides

101 mph and 6th offense DUI arrest

News channel 5 in Nashville reports that Franklin police have arrested 39 year old Shawn Woods for DUI 6th offense. Woods was driving 101 miles per hour on I 65 at the time. He is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty again.

Woods had previously killed a Knoxville teenager in another wreck.

Read about him on the links below.

Police: Man Driving 101 MPH Arrested For Sixth DUI - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

Shelbyville man accused of driving 100 mph gets 6th DUI - WSMV Channel 4

Intextication

Sgt Mark Kimsey, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and ACTAR certified crash reconstruction expert has published a study called "Driving While Intexticated". Mark is doing his part to get us all to focus on the consequences of texting and driving. Congratulations Mark.

Winter weather traffic safety tips from TDOT

Tips for Safe Winter Driving on Tennessee Roads

Staying safe requires drivers to examine habits and make weather-related changes. According toTDOT, the key to winter driving safety is simple - slow down! The slow and cautious approach applies to almost everything - accelerating, braking, merging, approaching intersections, bridges and off-ramps. In addition:

• Give yourself some space. It's harder to stop on slick roads, so don't drive too close to the car in front of you.
• Brake slowly and carefully when you need to, but never drive so fast or close that you need to slam on the brakes.
• Forget the cruise control. Instead, stay alert and ready to respond quickly to changing conditions.
• Stay away from the snow plow. Drivers often have limited visibility so driving too close may be dangerous. If you stay behind the plow, the road is much safer. If you must pass, use caution.
• Clear all snow from your vehicle to improve visibility - for you and other drivers.
• Wear your seatbelt.

Synthetic Drugs

The synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones webinar this afternoon was attended by 141 prosecutors and law enforcement officers. Thanks to all who participated.
One great nuggett of information recieved is that the TBI lab now has a catalog showing what drugs are in the various synthetic packages. They have about 275 different products identified. Great job TBI.
It is ridiculous the way these poisons are being marketed. Joe Camel was blamed for kids becoming addicted to tobacco. How come these producers aren't called to task for using Scooby Doo and many other cartoon charactors to get kids to try these dangerous drugs? They have names like "Happy Plant Food, Bang Bang Love Gun, Magic Dragon, Mad Monkey, Sprinkles, Green Ghost and Dragon's Eye".
I guess they haven't been hit by the Product's Liability laws, because so many are produced in China.

ADA Kate Lavery in the News

Below is a story from News Channel 9 in Chattanooga concerning the new mandatory testing requirement for multiple offenders. Nicely done!
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/says-1007798-dui-driver.html

Krokodile, a drug popular in Russia makes skin fall off

Krokodile is one of the latest high intensity drugs that is so bad that the skin falls off near injection sites. People who use this have extremely high medical costs and extremely low life expectancy. It is popular with junkies in Russia and is being seen on the west coast, so it will be here in the not too distant future.
Thanks to Lexington, Kentucky Commonwealth Attorney, Ray Larsen, for publishing this in his newsletter. Read about it at:
http://www.lexingtonprosecutor.com/?p=7129