According to a report by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, on Sunday night, around 11:19 PM, Deputy Zachary Early of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office observed a gray 2009 Toyota Cabriolet driven by 20-year-old John William Cook III from Knoxville commit several traffic violations on or near Interstate 40 westbound in Crossville. These included failing to stop at a stop sign on Market Street approaching Highway 70E, entering and exiting a gas station, and failing to yield to a truck with hazard lights activated on the shoulder.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop and contacted Cook, noticing an open can in the cup holder, a strong odor of marijuana from the vehicle, reddened eyes, and the smell of alcohol on Cook’s breath. Cook admitted to having marijuana in his backpack and glove compartment and to consuming several shots of alcohol. He self-assessed his intoxication level as 6.5 out of 10. When asked to perform standardized field sobriety tests, Cook reportedly believed arrest was inevitable and requested to be taken into custody.

He was arrested at 11:31 PM for driving under the influence and transported to the Cumberland County Jail around 12:10 AM on January 12. A search warrant was obtained, leading to the collection of two tubes of blood at the medical center at 1:11 AM. Officers seized approximately 40 grams of a green leafy substance identified as marijuana, which was submitted into evidence.

Cook faces charges of DUI with $1,500 bond, and simple possession of marijuana with $1,000 bond.