On May 16, 2025, at approximately 8:44 PM, Deputy Caleb Cathey of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office observed a black Chevy Tahoe with improper rear-right brake and running lights on Plateau Rd in Crossville. After initiating a traffic stop, the driver, 60-year-old Terry Dawn Novitch, failed to pull over promptly, swerving erratically and driving off the roadway before stopping near Custer Rd.

Upon contact, Novitch displayed slurred speech, provided her father’s Law Enforcement ID instead of her driver’s license, and was uncooperative. Her vehicle’s registration had expired, and a strong odor of alcohol was detected. Novitch resisted exiting the vehicle, requiring Deputies Cathey and Early to remove her forcibly. Due to her intoxication and unsteady condition, field sobriety tests were deemed unsafe.

A cooler containing alcoholic beverages was found in the vehicle, and a search warrant was obtained for a blood draw, which Novitch resisted, necessitating restraint by deputies and hospital security. Two vials of blood were collected as evidence. Novitch briefly lost consciousness, claimed a shoulder injury, but later refused medical treatment.

She was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Resisting Arrest, Violation of the Light Law, and Expired Registration, with a court date set for June 9, 2025. Novitch was transported to Cumberland County Intake after hospital discharge, and her vehicle was towed.