Just because it was his birthday was no free pass for a local man who will serve five days in jail for drunk driving and possession of marijuana.
The defendant, Troy Mason Grissom, was ordered by Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley to serve five days of an 11-month, 29-day sentence, pay $750 plus costs, perform eight hours public service work, and lose his driver license for one year for DUI and simple possession of marijuana.
His sentence comes after McMinnville policewoman Leilani DeFore fell in behind his vehicle after clocking him going 55 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. She reported following him to a local business where he pulled inside a bay. At that point, DeFore said she approached the vehicle and noticed the driver was unsteady on his feet when he climbed out.
DeFore said she first asked Grissom why he was speeding.
“He said there was no reason and did not feel that (speed) was excessive,” DeFore recalled his answer.
The driver then added one of the reasons he had been drinking that evening.
“He stated it was his birthday and he needed a break,” DeFore recalled.
The suspect maintained the reason he could not stand on one foot or walk in a straight line for the field sobriety test was due to a back issue.