An Ooltewah man was arrested Sunday morning and charged with driving under the influence for the third time in two years after a passerby called police to report he had fallen asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a parked car.
John Schenck, 30, was driving a vehicle that crashed into a parked car outside Gold's Gym on Lee Highway around 9:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.
John Schenck, 30, was arrested Sunday for driving under the influence after he fell asleep behind the wheel. Contributed photoThe arresting officer said Schenck failed a field sobriety test by taking too many steps, failing to properly turn and being unable to follow instructions during the one-leg test. He also showed tremors and had an 18-ounce bottle of beer inside his car, police said.
Schenck was driving on a license that had been revoked after his last arrest for driving under the influence.
His vehicle was equipped with an ignition interlock device designed to keep the car from starting and operating if the driver is intoxicated. However, Schenck apparently figured a way around the device. He was charged with driving under the influence, driving on a revoked license, ignition interlock violation and vandalism.
He was previously arrested twice for driving under the influence in 2014. Schenck was arrested in January 2014 for violation of the open container law, crossing the center lane and two counts of driving under the influence, court records show.
While that case was still pending, he was arrested again in September 2014 for reckless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of driving under the influence.
Two weeks after his second arrest, he pleaded guilty to two counts of driving under the influence. All other charges were dismissed.
He was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail on each count; both sentences were suspended. Driving under the influence is a misdemeanor in Tennessee, although potential penalties increase with each subsequent arrest.
A third-time DUI offender could face up to a year in jail, a fine up to $10,000, as well as a revoked license for six to 10 years, among other penalties.
Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at 423-757-6525 or sbradbury@timesfreepress.com with tips or story ideas. Follow on Twitter @ShellyBradbury.