26-year-old Laura Thomas was charged with speeding, driving under the influence, on a suspended license, with no insurance, and expired registration when she was stopped for going 21 mph over the posted speed limit.
On September 4th, Tennessee State Trooper Phillips initiated a traffic stop on a white sedan which was confirmed to be traveling at 86 mph in a 65 mph zone. Upon contact with the driver, Laura Thomas, Trooper Phillips smelled a strong odor that he believed to be that of marijuana coming from the vehicle and her person. He noticed that Laura had watery, blood-shot eyes and he asked her if she had been smoking to which she admitted she had smoked approximately 30 minutes prior to the stop. Laura performed three Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks.
During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test, she showed no sign of HGN but she did move her head during the task and showed a lack of convergence in both eyes. During the walk and turn task, she missed heel-to-toe contact on every step both going and coming back. Laura could not keep her balance and kept switching legs during the one-leg stand test. She was unable to provide proof of insurance and her registration had been expired since June 31st. A check through the trooper’s system revealed that her license had been suspended for failure to pay a seat belt ticket since August of 2016.
Laura Thomas was arrested and charged with speeding, driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, driving with no insurance, and expired registration. Her bond was set at $500.
