KNOXVILLE, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – A Knoxville woman is facing several charges after police say she was found unconscious behind the wheel of a vehicle blocking an Interstate 40 exit ramp while a two-year-old child sat in the back seat.
According to court documents obtained by WVLT News, officers responded shortly after midnight on Nov. 5 to reports of a vehicle blocking the right lane of the I-40 East ramp to Alcoa Highway.
When officers arrived, they found 21-year-old Erica Cooper slumped over the steering wheel. Investigators said a two-year-old child was discovered in the back seat of the vehicle.
Police said Cooper became combative after officers woke her and asked her to exit the vehicle. Court records indicate officers placed her in handcuffs after she allegedly refused to cooperate.
According to the documents, Cooper’s responses to officers’ questions were described as “rambling and incoherent,” and officers reported that her speech was slurred, which they said was consistent with alcohol impairment.
Because the vehicle was blocking traffic, officers attempted to remove the child from the vehicle. Court records state Cooper became increasingly disorderly and combative during that process.
While being placed into a patrol car, Cooper allegedly spit on and kicked two officers. Authorities requested assistance from AMR personnel, who sedated Cooper before transporting her to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for evaluation.
During a search of the vehicle, officers reported finding five open containers of alcohol, including an empty bottle of tequila.
Cooper was charged with two counts of assault on a first responder, attempted child endangerment, disorderly conduct and driving under the influence.
She is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 3.
