On May 30, 2026, at approximately 11:26 PM, Sergeant Brandon Griffin of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office observed a black and blue 1988 Ford F250 pickup truck traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 70 West in Pleasant Hill. The vehicle crossed the double yellow centerline to pass the patrol car, continued westbound at about 82 mph while straddling the centerline, and weaved recklessly.

When the officer activated emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop, the driver failed to yield and continued evading. The truck turned onto Browntown Road, still disregarding the emergency equipment, struck the ditch line twice, and eventually came to a stop roughly a half-mile to a mile down the road.

A high-risk traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, Josiah Willier, 22, of Crab Orchard, Tennessee, was taken into custody. He exhibited slurred speech, unsteady balance, stumbling, and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Willier denied consuming alcohol despite the officer’s observations. He voluntarily attempted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests at the Justice Center but performed poorly on all three (HGN, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand), showing multiple clues of impairment.

Based on the driving behavior, physical signs, odor of intoxicant, and test performance, Sergeant Griffin determined Willier was under the influence. A search warrant was obtained for his blood, and two vials were collected at Cumberland Medical Center.

Willier was charged with Driving Under the Influence (bond $2,000) and Felony Evading Arrest (bond $10,000), with a court date of July 6, 2026.