According to a Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office incident report, On December 10th, 2022, at 9:38 PM, CPL Thomas was sitting stationary on Graysville Road watching traffic when he saw a vehicle approaching northbound and appearing to be traveling at a high rate of speed at 57 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. According to the report, “CPL Thomas initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver Austin Tyler Jones, 26, of Tennessee. CPL Thomas greeted the offender, and when he replied, he slurred, “what’s going on brother”. CPL Thomas could immediately detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Austin’s breath. CPL Thomas could see Austin’s eyes were red, watery, and droopy as if he were sleepy.” While waiting for the passenger to locate an insurance card, CPL Thomas could smell the alcoholic beverage stronger now and coming from inside the vehicle. CPL Thomas asked Austin if he’d had anything to drink and he replied that they had been at Jeffereson’s and had a “few drinks”. When asked how many drinks Austin had, he replied only “2”. Corporal Thomas had Austin step out of the vehicle, and before beginning the field sobriety tests, Austin said, ‘can I be honest with you”. Austin began saying, “since we’re in the state of Tennessee”…. Corporal Thomas quickly corrected him that he was in fact still in Georgia. Austin then informed the deputy that in his personal vehicle, he had a breath interlock device that he had to blow in before starting his car but that he had completed the program for that and was due to get it removed. He begged the deputy to just to let him go. He said, “obviously I’ve had a few drinks tonight.” During field sobriety tests, Austin showed several signs of impairment. When Corporal Thomas took the AlcoSensor out, Austin stated, “I’m probably not gonna pass that one”. He then said, ‘I know what the limit is”. CPL Thomas asked Austin if he thought he was over the limit, and he replied, “I’ll be honest with ya man, I’m not 100% sure but,, ya know, uh, I think that would….I’m not gonna fight you over it”. Austin then showed a BAC of .110. When Corporal Thomas read Austin’s implied consent, he asked for a lawyer. Austin’s TN driver’s license showed that it was revoked for DUI. The passenger Mackenzie Taylor Parks, 27, also showed over the legal limit. She called her parents and had them pick her up. The deputy located several open containers in the vehicle. Austin was booked into the Catoosa County Jail, charged with DUI, speeding, driving on a revoked license, and an open container violation.
Tennessee man arrested again for DUI after speeding in Catoosa County
