In a sobering reminder of the consequences of repeat DUI offenses, Ben Tambo Wasike, 43, has been convicted of Driving Under the Influence Third Offense after passing out behind the wheel at a gas station, as the office of the District Attorney Charme Allen announced. Following the conviction, Wasike is under court order to be monitored by an alcohol device and to have an ignition interlock installed on his car before his December 19 sentencing, where he faces at least 120 days in jail.
Details from the trial reveal that on September 22, 2019 Knoxville Police Department Officer Pittenger responded to a 911 call at the Weigel's on Lonas Drive, where he found Wasike's vehicle improperly parked and running with Wasike unconscious in the driver's seat, blood alcohol content at 0.134 and he was having trouble with even opening his glovebox and pulling out his ID when awake, his eyes were bloodshot and the smell of alcohol was on his breath despite his refusals to perform field sobriety tests and denial of drinking. District Attorney Allen made it clear that "Refusing to perform field sobriety tests will not exempt you from being held accountable for impaired driving."
This is not the first instance of such legal troubles for Wasike, who, according to the report, has prior DUI convictions from 2006 and 2016. Now, he has been slapped with a hefty maximum fine of $10,000 by the jury, and the conviction of DUI Third Offense comes with a six-year license revocation. These details emerged from the collaborative efforts of Assistant District Attorneys Caleb Smothers and Mitch Eisenberg during the two-day trial.
Support for the prosecution came from Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Lauren Ward and Legal Secretary Jennifer Stout, with the successful conviction highlighting the persistent efforts by the District Attorney's Office to tackle the issue of repeat impaired driving offenses. For those wishing to learn more about the case or the efforts of the DA's office, they can reach out to Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or via email at [email protected], and additional information about the DA’s office is offered on their website and through social media platforms.
