New Year’s Eve stop leads to arrest
A Russellville woman was arrested on New Years Eve for DUI after allegedly swerving off the road and failing routine field sobriety tests, authorities said.
Dedra Berry, 49, 315 Henry Road, Russellville, was arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance, second-degree promoting prison contraband, driving under the influence and illegal possession of prohibited liquor.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, deputies were on a routine patrol route on Franklin 84 near the Alabama 247 intersection when they witnessed a pick-up truck traveling east swerve off the road and then stop with the vehicle still partly in the roadway.
Oliver said since the vehicle was obstructing traffic and could be hazardous to other drivers, deputies approached the vehicle to perform a routine traffic stop.
Oliver said the deputy stated when he approached the vehicle, the passenger side door was open and he could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from inside the cab.
“The deputy noticed the passenger in the vehicle was severely impaired and was mumbling words that weren’t understandable,” Oliver said.
“He then asked Ms. Berry, who was driving the vehicle, if she had been drinking alcohol as well. She stated she hadn’t and that she was taking the passenger home because he was sick, but the deputy said she was slurring her words and her eyes appeared to be glassy.”
Oliver said after gaining consent to search, deputies found a small bottle of alcohol along with four baggies containing a white, powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Oliver said the deputy then administered routine field sobriety tests to Berry and he stated she wasn’t able to complete any of the tests.
Oliver said she was taken into custody and charged with driving under the influence.
“Every year, especially close to New Years, we try to warn residents about the dangers of driving under the influence,” Oliver said. “We’re just glad we were able to get her off the roadway before she could harm herself or someone else.”
Berry is currently out of custody on bond.
