Driver Convicted of DUI after Falling Asleep in Street

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained a conviction against a drunk driver who passed out in his vehicle while in the middle of the street. Rex Allen Hutchison, 58, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence. After the jury returned their verdict, Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on August 25.

At trial, Assistant District Attorney Joe Welker explained to the jury that on December 28, 2014, Knoxville Police Department Officer Michael Cooper responded to a citizen complaint of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Fairmont Boulevard and Clearview Street. Ofc. Cooper found Hutchison unconscious in the driver’s seat of his vehicle that was parked in the street. Hutchison eventually woke up and failed field sobriety tests. Ofc. Cooper discovered two empty airplane bottles of whiskey and four empty 187 mL bottles of wine. Hutchison refused to submit to a blood alcohol test.

Driving Under the Influence is a Class A misdemeanor that carries a punishment of eleven months and twenty-nine days where the defendant must serve a minimum of forty-eight hours in jail. Hutchison will also have to pay a $350 fine, attend DUI school, and his license will be revoked for one year.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.