BBBTV12 – On Tuesday evening, just after 8:00 p.m., Rockwood police responded to a report of an unconscious man lying in a ditch along East Dunn Street. Upon arrival, officers were able to wake the man, later identified as Leonard Dean McLean.

McLean informed officers that he had been walking after an argument with his girlfriend. He admitted to having taken his sleep medication earlier and said he lay down in the ditch while walking along Dunn Street.

During the investigation, officers searched a backpack McLean had with him. According to Officer Cunningham’s report, the search revealed a small quantity of marijuana. Officers also noted McLean exhibited slurred speech.

An ambulance was called to evaluate McLean, but he refused to be transported to the hospital. A check through dispatch revealed that McLean had an outstanding warrant in Roane County for failure to appear. He was taken into custody and transported to jail, where he remains as of today.

Officers noted that if McLean had remained asleep in the ditch much longer, he might not have survived due to the cold temperatures overnight.

 All individuals mentioned on this site are presumed innocent until proven guilty.