JELLICO, TN (WLAF) – Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputy James Coffey recently saw a black Dodge truck run a traffic light at North Main Street and 3rd Street in Jellico. Coffey stopped the truck and spoke with the driver identified as James Parks. When Coffey was explaining the reason he stopped the truck, around 2am, Sat., Oct. 15, the driver said he was just cruising.

While Parks was looking for proof of insurance on the truck he kept trying to talk, but Coffey was allegedly unable to understand him due to his slurred speech. According to a report from the sheriff’s department, Coffey could smell alcohol coming from inside the truck. Parks stated that he could not find his insurance card, and that’s when Coffey noticed the Parks’ eyes were very red and bloodshot. The deputy asked if he Parks been drinking, and he reported that he had drunk five or six Budweiser’s in the last hour while hanging out with his girlfriend. He also reported that he had a bottle of Bacardi in the back floorboard that he was drinking while driving. He continued that he was just trying to make it to his brothers in Kentucky. Parks was asked to step out of the truck and perform a field sobriety test. Coffey agreed to the tests.

After attempting to perform the test, Parks was placed under arrest and transported to the Campbell County Jail.

Parks, 24, 152 Wool Lane, Jellico was charged with driving under influence (DUI) and open container law.

Based on jail records, Parks was released early on the afternoon of Oct. 15, on a $3,000 bond. He is due in court on Nov. 1. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/24/2022-6AM)