2 charged with DUI in Portland, Tennessee, including alleged wrong-way driver
PORTLAND, Tenn. – Portland, Tennessee police say they arrested two people for driving under the influence, including a reported wrong-way driver over the weekend.
According to the Portland Police Department, during the overnight hours of Friday, Nov. 6, officers investigated two separate incidents involving alleged impaired driving.
During the early morning hours, authorities say they observed a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 109 North.
Police say they quickly intercepted the vehicle, initiating a traffic stop.
The driver was identified as 45-year-old Edwin Chacon Pleitez.
Upon speaking with Pleitez, officers say they detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed several signs of impairment. During the investigation, authorities say they discovered five empty beer cans and one cold, unopened beer in the vehicle.
Authorities say following a blood draw, Pleitez was transported to the Sumner County Jail.
He faces charges of driving under the influence, second offense, and violation of lane law.
In a separate case that same night, police say they discovered a damaged light pole and vehicle debris while patrolling a residential neighborhood in Portland.
Authorities say they immediately began investigating and obtained surveillance footage showing a vehicle hitting and destroying the light pole before continuing to travel.
Additional surveillance video showed the same vehicle traveling erratically in the neighborhood before it struck a mailbox down the street, according to authorities.
Police say they found additional vehicle debris near the mailbox.
The driver in this case was identified as Ellisa Hargrove.
Police say they observed multiple signs of impairment and developed evidence indicating Hargrove had consumed alcoholic beverages before driving. In addition, police say Hargrove’s vehicle was damaged in way consistent with the collisions that occurred, and debris was consistent with the vehicle.
Following a blood draw, Hargrove was transported to the Sumner County Jail.
She faces charges of driving under the influence, violation of the implied consent law and leaving the scene of an accident.
