Knoxville man arrested for DUI after crash with 7-year-old in vehicle

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -Officials with the Knoxville Police Department said a man is in custody after allegedly driving under the influence with his son in the car.

Officers responded to a vehicle that ran off the road and down an embankment on the 5700 block of Metropolitan Way around 10 p.m. Saturday.

Police said 28-year-old John Whittington II and his 7-year-old son were rescued from the vehicle by AMR and the Knoxville Fire Department.

Police said, when they arrived on the scene, Whittington had a strong odor of alcohol on him, slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet. Whittington reportedly told police he believed he was “just off Kingston Pike,” and that he knew “Papermill is right over there.” Officials said Whittington also asked officers is they had pulled him over.

According to reports, Whittington’s son said he told his dad to “pay attention” and told officers that was a “bumpy ride.”

Officers said Whittington was unable to perform the field sobriety test as instructed. He was arrested and transported to the Knox County Detention Facility. Whittington faces charges of driving under the influence with a child under 18 present.