A Kingsport man faces multiple charges after police say he was driving recklessly through Elizabethton over the weekend.
Officers of the Elizabethton Police Department on Saturday arrested Krisopher Garrett, 36, of 800 Teasel Drive, Kingsport, and charged him with driving under the influence, reckless driving, simple possession of Schedule VI drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday, a motorist called 911 to report a reckless driver traveling east on West Elk Avenue.
EPD Officer Dustin Johnson was in the area and saw a car matching the caller’s description. The car was traveling at a high rate of speed and crossed into the oncoming traffic lanes several times, Johnson said.
After stopping the car at the intersection of West Elk Avenue and Hudson Drive, Johnson was able to identify the driver as Garrett. While speaking with Garrett, Johnson smelled alcohol on the man.
“I asked Mr. Garrett if he had consumed any alcohol, and he advised he stopped drinking at approximately 3 a.m. (Saturday),” Johnson said.
Garrett performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was arrested, Johnson said.
When officers searched Garrett after his arrest, Johnson found a cellophane bag containing marijuana in Garrett’s front pants pocket.
“In plain view of Mr. Garrett’s vehicle officers observed a whiskey flask lying in the passenger side floorboard and a glass pipe with a green leafy substance packed inside lying in the passenger seat,” Johnson said, adding officers also found a set of scales in the back seat of the car.
Officers took Garrett to a local hospital where a blood sample was drawn and then took him to the Carter County Detention Center for booking. Garrett later posted bond and was released from jail. He is scheduled to appear in Carter County General Sessions Court Aug. 31.