A man from Tennessee was apprehended and charged after he allegedly tried to drive a vehicle in a local Christmas parade while intoxicated. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on a Saturday, as people of all ages congregated on Main Street in Tazewell, a small town of just over 2,000 residents located about an hour northeast of Knoxville. They were there to enjoy the Claiborne County Christmas Tractor Parade. However, one participant seemed to have overindulged in the festive cheer.
As the parade was about to commence, families began to board the rear of Santa’s Train, essentially a powerful lawn mower pulling several wagons. Observers nearby noticed the driver of the vehicle, later identified as 40-year-old Henry Meade, acting unusually and alerted the police.
Upon being reported, Meade was subjected to a field sobriety test by the police. However, the test did not begin well. Meade reportedly threw a prescription bottle at an officer while on his way to take the test. Unsurprisingly, he failed the sobriety test, leading the police to arrest him. He was subsequently charged with several offenses related to intoxication, including driving under the influence and possession of methamphetamine. Police also reportedly discovered a syringe, meth, and other narcotics on him.
Tazewell Mayor Bill Fannon and Chief of Police Jeremy Myers issued a joint statement assuring the community that everyone’s safety was maintained throughout the day’s events. They emphasized that there were 14 police officers patrolling a 1/8 mile radius on Main Street during the event, which was attended by several thousand people. They stressed that public safety is always a top priority, regardless of the day or event.
The statement also clarified that the city did not employ Meade or any of the other vendors involved in the Christmas parade. The city does not have jurisdiction over vendor hiring, which is independently contracted and not managed by the city.
There have been no reported injuries related to Santa’s Train, the tractor parade, or any other Christmas events that took place in the area that day.