Bristol, TN–Just before 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a call of five people trapped in an overturned vehicle. When officers arrived, they found an upside-down minivan and the five occupants of the vehicle, alive and sitting by the road. Among the five were 43-year-old Randy Lewis and 38-year-old Paula Evans, two 10-year-olds and a 6-year-old child. Police were initially told that Lewis flipped the van, but later found that the driver was actually one of the 10-year-old children. Wait….what??
Yes, the 10-year-old was driving at about 90 mph when he lost control of the vehicle and rolled it. Further investigation revealed exactly why the child was driving….the adults were waaay beyond messed-up! Lewis admitted to having downed at least 15 beers and was still drinking when officers arrived on the scene. Evans was standing in the middle of the road swallowing pills, as many pills as she could choke down. One of the officers had to forcibly stop her before she could swallow any more.
Lewis tried to convince the police that he was the one driving the van, but one of the kids called bullshit on that story. The kid pulled an officer over to the side and informed him that it was a 10-year-old behind the wheel. Evans also called bullshit and stated to police, ‘I told him (Lewis) that the boy was too young to be driving.’Â Um….DUUUH!
The children were transported to Bristol Regional Medical Center and treated for their injuries. One child suffered a broken hand and the other two were treated for multiple cuts and lacerations. They were turned over to DCS and then to an unnamed caretaker until completion of the investigation. Evans was initially hospitalized for possible broken bones in her neck. She was released from the hospital Monday evening and taken into custody.
Lewis had a BAC of .26 and cocaine in his system. Evans had opiates, cocaine, and benzodiazepins in her system. Officers found 43 different pills in Evans’ purse…30 Percocet, 10 Xanax, 2 Suboxone, and 1 Lortab. Damn! She’s a walking pharmacy!
So, now the two brainiacs are facing a slew of charges. Lewis was arraigned on seven counts, including DUI (third offense), felony reckless endangerment, and aggravated child abuse/neglect. Evans is being charged with felony reckless endangerment, aggravated child abuse/neglect, as well as drug possession. When first arrested, their bond was set at $10,000 but an intelligent judge decided to up the bond to $50,000.
For your viewing enjoyment, I am posting Lewis’ full mug shot….
…ironic, isn’t it?
Tags: Child Abuse, Child Neglect, drug possession, DUI, Reckless Endangerment, Tennessee
