Halbert Lee Swenson
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
An Auburn man was arrested on drug-related charges following a call from a concerned driver.
Chief Deputy Scott Hammond reported that on July 17, Deputy Parker received a call regarding an erratic driver on U.S. Highway 280. Parker caught up to the driver and witnessed his erratic driving.
He initiated his emergency lights and pulled the vehicle over. When he approached the vehicle, Parker observed that the driver had bloodshot eyes and believed he might be under the influence.
He asked the driver to step out of the vehicle to take field sobriety tests. The driver took all the tests requested, but failed all of them.
Based on Parker’s observations, he believed the driver was under the influence of something other than alcohol. Deputy Payton arrived on the scene to assist.
Payton also conducted advanced roadside impairment tests, which indicated signs of impairment.
The driver was patted down, arrested and transported to the Coosa County Jail without incident.
Inventory of the vehicle was done, which resulted in finding a powdery substance in the vehicle, which tested positive for cocaine. Three pills were also found and determined to be a controlled substance.
Ultimately 41-year-old Halbert Lee Swenson of Auburn was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance and four counts of possession of a controlled substance.
His bond was set at $20,000, and he was released on bond on July 21 to await trial.
