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Taxi driver, wife charged with DUI after separate accidents
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ATHENS, Tenn. - An Athens taxi driver and his wife have been charged with DUI after he was involved in several accidents and she wrecked her car while going to the McMinn County jail to pay his bond.
Joe Franklin Ray also is charged with hit and run.
Witnesses saw Ray driving his 2000 Lincoln Town Car erratically off Interstate 75, driving through grass near the exit, then striking several vehicles. Later, he allegedly hit a blue van at a parking lot along Decatur Pike.
Witnesses said the car had a taxi sign on its roof and a motorist followed the car to a home at 512 Anton St. When officers arrived they noticed the parked Lincoln has paint marks from the accidents, officers said.
Ray answered the door with his pants below his knees and his speech was slurred, according to an Athens Police report. He failed a sobriety test and was taken to the Athens Regional Hospital before being transported to the McMinn County Jail. His wife was also at the residence and also had been drinking, the report states.
Later, officers and the Athens Fire Department responded to a report that a car had crashed onto railroad tracks at Railroad Avenue and Georgia Street.
Valerie Ray was driving to get her husband out of jail when she had the accident, according to a police report. After failing a sobriety test, she also was charged with DUI and taken to the McMinn County Jail. She had a previous 2001 conviction of DUI, according to a records check.
Only one report had been filed by an accident victim as of late this afternoon. The vehicle involved in Joe Franklin Ray's accident is owned by the Athens Taxi Service. He is listed as a driver for the company located on Ingleside Avenue. A man who answered the phone at the taxi service declined comment.
Ray was released on a $1,000 bond and his wife on a $2,000 bond.
They face a Thursday morning arraignment in McMinn County General Sessions Court.
More details as they develop online and in Thursday's News Sentinel.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Posted by hallsguy on March 5, 2008 at 5:13 p.m.
Another exciting day of typical East Tennessee behavior.
Posted by Fashionista on March 5, 2008 at 5:23 p.m.
OMG...You just can't make this stuff up...Truth is stranger than fiction.
Posted by Sharav on March 5, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.
in response to GhostEmployee
Too good, GhostEmployee!
Posted by WhitePineVol77 on March 5, 2008 at 5:42 p.m.
We don't want Athens to take anything away from East Knoxville, but this is an E TN family affair
Posted by jkbigrig on March 5, 2008 at 5:44 p.m.
"answered the door with his pants below his knees" - The Gangster of Love!
Posted by Oldhickory on March 5, 2008 at 5:48 p.m.
Are they sure it wasn't Rep. Rob Briley?
Posted by mainchannel on March 5, 2008 at 6:31 p.m.
Let's give Athens to Georgia!!!
Posted by ShadowTek on March 5, 2008 at 7:31 p.m.
At least they make a good couple.
Posted by Fashionista on March 5, 2008 at 7:41 p.m.
in response to GhostEmployee
Love it! Too hilarious!
Posted by therev on March 5, 2008 at 7:52 p.m.
ok, I got to ask? was he hauling a customer? and whats up (or down) about the pants. I mean, if a cab pulls up thats beat to hell and back I don't think I'm getting in.
Posted by Fashionista on March 5, 2008 at 8:35 p.m.
in response to GhostEmployee
Bet he does...or better yet, the jail is like the one in Support Your Local Sheriff...no lock and no wall ;)
This so hilarious. Each time I read the article, I can't stop laughing...Thank you Athens, Tennessee :)
Posted by acolvol on March 5, 2008 at 9:11 p.m.
Athens, my home town--40 years ago. I remember when the taxi drivers delivered the booze. When did they start drinking it?
Posted by Fashionista on March 5, 2008 at 9:15 p.m.
in response to acolvol
Maybe they always have been drinking it ;)
Posted by jmotorsports on March 5, 2008 at 9:40 p.m.
how sad that you can't even go a day without everybody in town knowing what they other is up to whether it be good or bad
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