33-year-old Johnathan Askew was charged with reckless endangerment, child restraint violation, driving under the influence, and implied consent after officers responded to an assault and found him driving while inebriated with an unrestrained 6-year-old child inside.
On August 25th, Clarksville Police Officer Rosa Hyatt was dispatched to 525 Caskey Drive for a disturbance call. When the officer arrived someone mentioned an assault had taken place, but the victim, Johnathan Askew had already left. He arrived back on the scene after the officers in a white Volkswagen Jetta. Officer Hyatt could immediately smell alcohol when making contact with Askew, so he asked him how much he had imbibed. He replied that he’d had one beer. The second time he was asked, Askew said he had a couple of drinks a few hours prior, but again changed and said he had two mixed drinks, not beer.
Askew was then asked for consent to perform some tasks to make sure he could safely drive to which he consented and did not do well. Askew was read implied consent and denied a blood sample. Officers searched him and found a cut straw containing white powdery residue. Askew explained that he does not typically drive impaired, but he did so due to “circumstances.” James Evans was in the front passenger seat, his 6-year-old child in the rear with no booster seat. Askew confessed he knew the child was in the vehicle while he was driving.
Johnathan Askew was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, child restraint violation, driving under the influence, and implied consent. His bond was set at $15,000.
