Impaired Driver Convicted at Trial

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained a conviction against an impaired driver who was about to merge onto Interstate 40 late at night without headlights. Despite refusing field sobriety tests or blood alcohol tests, John Watson Helvey, 47, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence. After the jury returned their verdict, Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on June 9.

At trial, Assistant District Attorney Joe Welker and Acting Assistant District Attorney Marriah Paige explained to the jury that shortly before midnight on February 4, 2014, Knoxville Police Department Officer Amy Boyd observed Helvey driving on the entrance ramp to Interstate 40 at Lovell Road without headlights. When Ofc. Boyd stopped Helvey, he had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his person, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and was unsteady on his feet. Helvey admitted drinking at the Smoky Mountain Brewery but refused to perform field sobriety tests or to submit to a blood alcohol test.

“”Once again, my office has shown that an impaired driver cannot avoid a DUI conviction by refusing to cooperate with law enforcement,”” said DA Charme Allen.””We will continue to aggressively prosecute DUI cases because the fact of the matter is that DUI enforcement saves lives.””

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.