On February 13, 2026, at approximately 3:24 p.m., Officer Nikolas Brendel of the Fairfield Glade Police Department observed a white 2018 Dodge Ram pickup traveling at 44 mph in a 30 mph zone on Peavine Road near Weigel’s gas station in Fairfield Glade. After initiating a traffic stop, the officer approached the vehicle and noticed a strong odor of alcohol emanating from inside, along with four large 23.5-ounce cans of Mike’s Harder lemonade (8% ABV) in a trash can on the passenger floor, all appearing empty.

The driver, 49-year-old Christopher Anthony Rigothi of Crossville, Tennessee, admitted to consuming four alcoholic beverages, starting around 9:00 a.m. that morning, with the last one within the hour before the stop. He acknowledged the drinks were alcoholic and confirmed a prior DUI conviction. After confirming no weapons were present and running a records check, the officer asked Rigothi to exit the vehicle for standardized field sobriety tests.

Rigothi initially hesitated and said “not really” to performing the tests, leading to a brief arrest and handcuffing, but he then agreed to proceed. He performed poorly on all three tests: exhibiting lack of smooth pursuit and distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation during the horizontal gaze nystagmus test; failing to maintain balance, taking incorrect steps, not counting aloud, and other errors on the walk-and-turn test; and showing swaying, arm use for balance, hopping, and putting his foot down prematurely on the one-leg stand test, requiring officer repositioning for safety.

Based on the speeding violation, visible alcohol containers, admissions of recent and substantial drinking, the odor of alcohol on his person, and poor performance on the field sobriety tests, Rigothi was arrested for driving under the influence. His father was contacted and retrieved the vehicle from the roadside.

The suspect was transported to the justice center, where a search warrant for his blood was obtained and executed at 5:00 p.m. by a nurse. Officer Brendel issued warnings for speeding and open container violations, completed booking, and prepared an arrest warrant.