On Saturday, Deputy Caleb Cathey observed a green single-cab Ford F-150 failing to come to a complete stop at the intersection of Main Street in Crab Orchard and Highway 70 East. As the vehicle passed, heading outbounds toward Rockwood, the deputy observed it also didn’t have an illuminated license plate.

Once behind the vehicle, the deputy observed the vehicle weaving within its lane. He activated his lights, attempting to stop them at the intersection of Highway 70 East and Renegade Mountain Parkway. The vehicle slow-rolled from that intersection to about 100 yards before coming to a complete stop.

During this slow roll, the passenger tossed a small item from the window that was not recovered. After coming to a complete stop, the passenger opened the door and poured out a tumbler mug.

The deputy made contact with the driver identified as Kenneth Cross. Deputy Cathey smelled an alcoholic odor off of Cross and saw he had slurred speech and lethargic behavior. When asked for his driver’s license Cross tried to hand the deputy his debit card by mistake. And even missed the deputy’s hand while handing him the card, and had a slow response releasing his grip from it.

Cross told the deputy that he was going from Crab Orchard to Crossville. However, the deputy had to explain to him he was actually driving in the opposite direction. However, Cross was insistent that he was heading to Peavine Road in Crossville.

Cross was asked to exit the vehicle and move to the back end, and while the door was open the deputy observed a 3/4 empty alcoholic beverage roll out from his floorboard.

As Cross steadied himself on the vehicle, the deputy requested another unit to assist in field sobriety testing. However, Cross refused to perform the tests and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence.

A search was performed on the vehicle for further evidence and deputies located two more open containers of alcoholic beverages.

Cross’s passenger initially refused to provide identification and denied throwing anything out of the window. He provided his ID to Corporal Griffin and was later released and picked up by a friend. Cross’s vehicle was released to his passenger so it wouldn’t be towed.

Cross himself would be transported to Cumberland County intake and a search warrant was obtained for his blood.