Felix A. Blackwood

Millington resident Felix A. Blackwood, 55, was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk after being stopped by officers at about 10:30 p.m. near the intersection of Southeast Broad Street and South Rutherford Boulevard, according to a Murfreesboro Police Department arrest report.

“I responded to 1716 South Rutherford Blvd. to assist Officer (Michael) Payne with a vehicle stopped for failing to maintain control,” Officer Ricky Haley reported. “I made contact with the driver who had an odor of an alcoholic intoxicant, red bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.”

When he stepped out of the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests, Haley reported that Blackwood was unable to stand without losing his balance and could not complete the tasks as demonstrated by police.

“I felt that he was impaired to a level making him unsafe for the operation of a motor vehicle,” Haley reported, adding Blackwood was then taken into custody.

“At this time, I conducted a driver’s license check on Blackwood, and it returned as a revoked,” Haley reported. ‘The check also revealed nine prior DUI convictions, four driving on a suspended license convictions, and six habitual traffic offender convictions.”

Blackwood was then transported to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, where he was charged with a 10th DUI offense and held on a $10,250 bond.

He is also facing charges of driving on a revoked license and being arrested while classified as a habitual offender in the state of Tennessee.

A preliminary hearing has since been scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, in Rutherford County General Sessions Court.

The arrest comes less than a year after Blackwood was apprehended on several charges, including reckless driving and intentionally evading arrest in an automobile, in connection with a May 24, 2012, incident in Memphis.