Early Saturday morning, Roane County deputies responding to a single-vehicle crash on I-40 westbound at mile marker 344 were advised of a second crash behind one of the rescue squad vehicles. In responding to that crash, deputies noticed a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and saw, in plain view, green leafy particles in the center console ashtray.

Deputies asked the driver, 19-year-old Mizea Brandyn McDowell if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, because he could smell marijuana. According to the arrest report, McDowell turned to his passenger and asked if he smelled marijuana, to which the passenger responded he wanted his lawyer present.

Both were asked to exit the vehicle and were detained and Mirandized.

A probable-cause search turned up a mason jar full of marijuana weighing one pound four ounces. McDowell claimed it was his brother’s.

McDowell was arrested for possession of a Schedule VI drug. The passenger, who was not charged, was taken to the detention facility to wait for a ride.