67-year-old Joe Lee Sparks was speeding on I-24 East near mile marker 55.8 around 12:19 a.m. on April 6th. Officers were conducting traffic enforcement when they observed his Nissan Murano going 86 mph in a 70 mph zone, weaving in and out of traffic. Officers activated their sirens, and Sparks pulled over to the right shoulder of Exit 57, Haywood Lane, ramp, partially in the travel lane. Before officers approached, they instructed Sparks to pull directly in front of them. Sparks exited his Murano without being instructed to, so officers asked him to return to his vehicle, where they informed him why they stopped him. Sparks told them his wife had to use the restroom, causing him to speed. As officers spoke with Sparks, they noticed he had a slight alcoholic odor, so they asked if he had anything to drink. He admitted to having one beer and later told them he had a mixed cocktail. Sparks showed numerous signs of intoxication while he explained that he and his wife were heading home from a family gathering at his sister-in-law’s. Officers asked him, using a scale from 1-10, to grade himself on his impairment level, to which he replied, “Three.” Then, Sparks consented to sobriety tests, performed poorly, and after being explained implied consent, agreed to provide a blood sample. Sparks was taken into custody for driving under the influence and speeding.
DUI: Joe Sparks speeds down I-24, tells police his wife had to use the restroom
