A local woman faces charges of DUI and reckless endangerment after she was allegedly caught driving while under the influence with her seven and thirteen year old daughters as passengers Friday. Christy Lynn Berry, 32, was charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and two counts of reckless endangerment, as well as being cited for simple possession of marijuana and failure to maintain her lane of travel.
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, May 1 a deputy observed a vehicle leave its lane of travel on Highway 70 east on May 1 and made a traffic stop. He reportedly spoke to the driver, Berry, whose speech was slurred.
Berry submitted to, but performed poorly on, field sobriety tasks. She was found to be under the influence of marijuana and or other drugs. Berry’s daughters, seven and 13 years old, were with her in the vehicle.
Ray said the officer obtained consent to search the car, and found three smoked marijuana cigarettes in the ash tray. Berry was placed under arrest.
Her bonds total $6,000, and she will appear in court on May 28.
Kathy Jo Massengail, 45, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and a second offense of driving on a revoked license, and cited for violation of the financial responsibility law on April 23.
Ray said Massengail was involved in a property damage traffic accident on R. Arnold Road, where she allegedly ran through a fence, causing $750 worth of damage. She had apparently run through the same fence in a separate incident on April 7.
A driver’s side mirror and a piece of a blue fender from Massengail’s vehicle were allegedly found at the scene, and the sherrif said she later confessed to having been driving the automobile and running through the fence. The investigating officer also learned that Massengail’s driver license had been revoked in Putnam County in July 2007 for DUI, and that she had been charged with driving on a revoked license in Wilson County in November 2010, and in DeKalb County after the April crash into the same fence.
Her bonds total $5,500, and she will appear in court on May 14.
Travis Joe Davenport, 23, was charged with driving on a revoked license on April 29.
The sheriff said a deputy spotted Davenport driving a white Pontiac on Cookeville Highway. Knowing that Davenport’s license was revoked, the officer made a traffic stop. The same deputy had allegedly arrested Davenport for the same charge in February.
His bond was set at $3,000, and he will appear in court on May 21.
Shauna Faye Stringer, 28, of Liberty was charged with public intoxication on April 30.
According to the sheriff, a deputy dispatched to Liberty for a possible intoxicated person on Tubb Street found Stringer at the Liberty Stop N Buy gas station. She was reportedly barefoot, and her speech was slurred, her eyes were glossy, and she was unsteady on her feet.
While the deputy was talking to her, Stringer began cursing and screaming, causing an annoyance to persons in the area. She allegedly admitted to drinking at least six beers and smoking marijuana during the day. She was placed under arrest.
Her bond was set at $1,500, and she will appear in court on June 4.
Juan Carlos Sosa Salazar of Dowelltown was charged with driving under the influence issued citations for roadways laned for travel, driving on a revoked license, and violation of the open container law on May 2.
Ray said a deputy patrolling Nashville Highway saw a gold Pontiac cross the turning lane and travel into oncoming traffic, almost striking another car. The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Salazar, whose speech was slurred, eyes were glossy, and had a strong odor of alcohol on his person.
He reportedly had an open beer in the front floorboard. A computer check revealed that his license was revoked for a DUI offense in 2000. Salazar performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He also submitted to a blood test and was placed under arrest.
His bond was set at $1,500, and he will appear in court on May 28.
Mark Edward Stewart, 48, was charged with assault and cited for no driver’s license and violation of the financial responsibility law on May 3.
Ray said a deputy stopped a vehicle on Highway 56 south and spoke to the driver, Stewart, who was reported to have been involved in a domestic dispute that day. Stewart did not have a valid license and could not provide proof of insurance.
A computer check confirmed that Stewart did not possess a valid driver license. He was placed under arrest. Stewart is also accused of knowingly causing bodily injury to a woman by pushing open the backdoor of her residence with force, striking the victim and leaving a red mark and a small cut on the woman’s hand and causing her to fear for her safety.
His bond was set at $1,500, and he will appear in court on May 28.
