Bellview – A Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy is no longer on the force and facing a DWI charge after he was found “passed out at the wheel” of his personal vehicle with the engine running in a church parking lot early Thursday morning.
 |
Adam Erickson, 37, of Hanging Dog, was charged with driving while impaired when he was found in the parking lot of Bellview United Methodist Church, 247 Moccasin Creek Road, at 1:28 a.m. Aug. 24. He was arrested by fellow Deputy Hunter Wood, according to the arrest report.
Wood was on patrol early Thursday morning when he came across a Nissan Altima in the parking lot of the church.
“Deputy Wood observed a Nissan Altima parked at the edge of the parking lot near Moccasin Creek Road, pointed toward the road,” according to the narrative. “The vehicle was on, with headlights activated. … Deputy Wood observed a male in the driver’s seat of the vehicle with his head slumped.”
Wood pulled into the parking lot to check on the vehicle occupant’s welfare. He knocked on the driver’s side window but got no response, then knocked harder. Erickson lifted his head and became alert, at which time Wood recognized Erickson as a colleague.
Wood reported seeing an open container of alcohol in the center console cup holder.
“Erickson rolled the window down and began to speak with Deputy Wood,” according to the report. “Erickson advised he was waiting for someone in the parking lot and that he had maybe been there a little too long. Deputy Wood asked Erickson to step out of the vehicle. Erickson advised he had been to Chevelles and had a couple of drinks.”
Chevelles is a popular restaurant and bar in downtown Murphy.
Wood said Erickson’s speech was slurred, he had red glassy eyes, he was slightly unsteady on his feet and he smelled of alcohol. Still, Erickson told Wood that he was OK to drive and was not intoxicated.
Erickson agreed to take a breath test, which came back positive both times it was given on the scene.
Wood arrested Erickson, handcuffed him and put him in the back seat of his patrol car. Erickson was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center in Murphy, where chemical tests showed his blood alcohol level at .12, well over the .08 level required for a DWI charge.
Erickson was served his copy of the magistrate’s order for arrest and informed of his conditions for release and release order. Capt. David Williams of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said Erickson is no longer employed by the sheriff’s office.