By Christa Jennings
Senior staff writer
A vehicle check ultimately led to the arrest of a Sylacauga man late last month.
On January 23, Deputy Parker was on routine patrol on U.S. Highway 280 when he observed a vehicle parked in a turning lane without its lights on.
He stopped to see if the driver was in the vehicle and if everything was OK, thinking the vehicle might have a mechanical problem.
Parker knocked on the window, and the driver woke up. It was reported that the driver was clearly disoriented and that Parker observed him acting strangely.
The driver attempted to start the car and shift gears despite the keys not being in the ignition. Parker proceeded to have the driver step out of the vehicle to conduct a field sobriety test.
The driver, 58-year-old Bennie Carl Thomas of Sylacauga, failed all tests given.
He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. His bond was set at $2,000, and he was released on bond on January 27 to await trial.
