On Jan. 26, 2023 city units were dispatched to a vehicle crash at Flowers bakery and then were advised  that the vehicle had left and the driver was going to Fast Pace walk in medical center. City units were then told the subject had driven over the curb at Fast Pace and was currently parked in the front parking lot in a white Chevy Tahoe. An officer arrived at approximately 1:53 p.m. and located the white GMC Yukon. The officer then located a male in the lobby who was identified as Joseph Hale DOB 02-28-1977. Mr. Hale stated the vehicle parked just outside was his. Mr. Hale denied striking any building and stated he had not drank anything alcoholic when asked. Mr. Hale had red watery eyes, slurred speech, and was unsteady on his feet when asked to walk outside. The officer could also smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. Mr. Hale when asked about searching his person stated he had his psych medication in his pocket. The pill was located from his right pants pocket. The pill was a round blue pill with “PLIVA 468″identified as Propanolol Hydrochoride 20 mg which is a prescription only medication. Mr. Hale had no prescription on his person for the pill located. Mr. Hale also stated there was a wine container in his vehicle from the night prior. Mr. Hale stated he took several medications on a normal basis. 

Mr. Hale consented to standardized field sobriety tests and swayed back and forth several inches during the HGN test and failed that test and all others.  Mr. Hale refused to take a preliminary breath test stating he had eaten pizza and that would make him fail. Mr. Hale was placed in custody at approximately 2:00 p.m. and Mr. Hale’s vehicle was parked and secured at Fast Pace at his request. 

A second officer arrived on scene speaking with witnesses at the crash location. Witnesses stated Mr. Hale had struck the building breaking several panes of glass at Flowers Bakery, then left the scene without making a report. Witnesses provided written statement to the officer naming Mr. Hale as the driver and also describing his vehicle as the one he was located with. Witnesses also stated he was going to Fast Pace where contact ultimately was made with Mr. Hale. Mr. Hale was seen causing damage to the property with the driver’s side of his vehicle, slowing down, then adjusting his side mirror before leaving the parking lot. This action shows he had knowledge he had struck the building with his vehicle. Damage to the buildings glass breezeway was estimated to be $2,000.00. 

Mr. Hale was transported to intake at 2:14 p.m. and arrived at 2:21 p.m. The officer then obtained a search warrant for Mr. Hale’s blood.  Mr. Hale was then transported to the Cumberland Medical Center where he refused to give a sample of his blood. When given implied consent advisement at CMC, Mr. Hale was advised of the search warrant that had been obtained for his blood and blood was then collected by CMC staff. The two vials of whole blood collected were place into a TBI toxicology kit and Mr. Hale was transported back to intake. Mr. Hale also made random statements about consuming alcohol both at intake and during the time at CMC for blood draw. Mr. Hale was then charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene, failure to report vehicle accident, possession of a legend drug, and violation of implied consent. Mr. Hale was advised of his charges and issued a copy of the search warrant at intake. The TBI kit containing Mr. Hale’s blood and the seized pill were taken labeled and placed in evidence at the Crossville Police Department.