DUI Unit Wins Back-to-Back Jury Trials

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained convictions in back-to-back jury trials against a man who crashed his vehicle after leaving a strip club and a woman who tried to order food at the Arby’s drive thru window while intoxicated. Austin S. Deel, 25, and Michelle Baker Summey, 50, were each convicted of Driving Under the Influence.

On Monday, in a one-day trial before Judge Bob McGee, Assistant District Attorney Joe Welker explained to the jury that on July 19, 2015, Knoxville Police Department Officers Jajuan Hamilton and Brandon Brewer responded to a single-vehicle wreck where Austin Deel had driven his car into a ditch after leaving a strip club. Deel admitted to drinking a few beers prior to driving and stated he knew he should not have been driving. Deel failed field sobriety tests.

In a two-day trial starting Tuesday and again before Judge Bob McGee, Assistant District Attorney Greg Eshbaugh presented proof to a jury that on December 2, 2014, Michelle Summey drove to the Arby’s on Strawberry Plains Pike. The employee working at the drive thru window noticed that Summey had slurred speech when she ordered her food. When she pulled up to the window and was waiting for her food, Summey passed out in her vehicle. The manager at Arby’s called 911, and Knoxville Police Department Officer Dylan Williams responded. Summey failed field sobriety tests, and the chemical analysis of her blood revealed high levels of oxycodone and carisoprodol.

“DUI enforcement saves lives,” said DA Charme Allen.”Impaired driving, whether by alcohol or drugs, is incredibly dangerous yet completely preventable. Designate a driver, call a cab, or download an app, but don’t drive impaired.”

Driving Under the Influence First Offense is a Class A misdemeanor that carries a punishment up to eleven months and twenty-nine days in jail.

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.