MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) -
A Rutherford County man is facing charges for driving drunk, and he works for a government agency aimed at preventing substance abuse.
Richard Watson works for the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of Rutherford, or CADCOR. It's a government agency developed to reduce substance abuse. According the agency's website, he manages outreach and grants. But Wednesday he was a guest of the Rutherford County Jail.
"We have had Hydrocodone, oxycotin, antibiotics..."
Watson spoke to Channel 4 News back in November 2009 about Rutherford County's growing drug problem. This week it wasn't drugs but alcohol that was allegedly the problem.
A Rutherford County deputy was on Interstate 24 near New Salem Highway at about 1a.m. Wednesday when he spotted a black Cadillac swerving. He called for backup, then pulled the car over.
According to the report, the driver, Watson, smelled of alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot and his speech was slurred. He also appeared unsteady on his feet.
Deputies tried to administer a field sobriety test when Watson reportedly replied, "I'm drunk," and refused to take the test. He eventually agreed. Then moments later again he told the deputies he was drunk and ordered them to take him to jail. They read him his rights and arrested him for DUI.
We stopped by Watson's job in at the Housing Authority Thursday, then his Murfreesboro home, but no one appeared to be there. We finally reached him by phone. He declined to comment, then hung up.
At this point no one connected to this case is commenting. Patsy Noland, executive director at the Murfreesboro Housing Authority, told Channel 4 News she wasn't aware of his arrest but that she couldn't comment until she spoke with Watson and reviewed the agency's policy. She did tell Channel 4 he didn't show up for work Thursday. Watson's scheduled to appear in court in January on a charge of driving under the influence.
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