Roger Lewis, a 66-year-old man from Hendersonville, Tennessee, found himself in a distressing situation when he was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) despite being sober. The incident occurred when Lewis, having been scammed by a woman he met while donating plasma, was waiting in his car at an apartment complex parking lot. While waiting, he opened a beer that the woman had requested he bring, but after a sip, he found it unpalatable and discarded it. His keys were in the ignition, and he was parked with the engine running. When police arrived, they observed Lewis standing outside his vehicle and speaking on his phone. They suspected he might be intoxicated and initiated a field sobriety test.
During the interaction, Lewis informed the officer that he suffered from neuropathy and had undergone six knee replacements, which affected his ability to perform certain physical tasks. Despite this disclosure and the presence of a disabled placard in his vehicle, the officer proceeded with a walk-and-turn test and a one-leg stand test, both of which Lewis struggled to complete due to his medical condition. The officer noted that Lewis’s speech was slurred, which was attributed to his neuropathy. Lewis repeatedly explained his physical limitations, but the officer persisted with the sobriety tests. Subsequently, Lewis was arrested and charged with DUI.
The arrest highlights a broader issue where individuals with disabilities are misinterpreted as being under the influence due to their physical impairments. In Tennessee alone, over 600 sober drivers have been wrongfully arrested for DUI between 2017 and 2023. These cases often involve individuals with conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, or other disabilities that affect their motor skills and speech, leading to misunderstandings during field sobriety tests. Experts advocate for better training for law enforcement officers to recognize the signs of various disabilities to prevent such injustices.
Following his arrest, Lewis faced significant challenges. He was detained for several hours, and the incident was recorded on his criminal record, potentially affecting his future employment opportunities. His attorney has filed a lawsuit against the Mt. Juliet Police Department, alleging that the officers failed to accommodate his disability during the sobriety tests and that the arrest was unlawful. The outcome of this case may set a precedent for how law enforcement agencies handle similar situations involving individuals with disabilities. Advocates hope this case will lead to improved training and policies to ensure that people with disabilities are treated fairly and not unjustly penalized due to their conditions.