Drunk Driver Convicted after Falling Asleep at Stoplight

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained convictions against a drunk driver who fell asleep at a stoplight. Luis Alexis Briceno, 25, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence Second Offense, Driving on Revoked License, and Failure to Provide Evidence of Financial Responsibility. Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on June 24 where Briceno faces a minimum of forty-five days in jail.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Greg Eshbaugh and Oscar Butler explained to the jury that on May 9, 2018, shortly after 6:00 A.M., Knoxville Police Department Officer Hayden Cochran responded to a call of an impaired driver at the intersection of Kingston Pike and Morrell Road. A citizen had called KPD because Briceno appeared to be asleep or unconscious in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The citizen told Ofc. Cochran that Briceno had not moved for several light cycles, and he was concerned that Briceno may have overdosed. Upon contact with Briceno, officers observed a strong odor of alcohol, mumbled speech, and bloodshot eyes. Briceno failed field sobriety tests and submitted to a breathalyzer that revealed his blood alcohol content to be 0.155, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08. Briceno’s driver’s license was revoked from a DUI conviction the previous year.

“DUI enforcement saves lives,” said DA Charme Allen.”Luckily, no one was injured in this case because a concerned citizen alerted law enforcement to this dangerous situation.”

At sentencing, Briceno faces a sentence of eleven months and twenty-nine days with a minimum sentence of forty-five days in custody. In addition to finding him guilty, the jury assessed the maximum fine of $3,500. His license will also be revoked for a period of two years.

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.