LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WGNS) — Shortly before midnight Saturday night (Jan. 24, 2026), officers spotted a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on Murfreesboro Road in La Vergne. With low visibility and extremely dangerous road conditions, the situation escalated quickly. As officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, they observed something even more alarming: the woman behind the wheel appeared to be drifting in and out of consciousness while the vehicle was still moving.

Officers were able to safely bring the vehicle to a stop and approached the driver, who continued slipping in and out of awareness. For safety reasons, officers placed the vehicle in park and attempted to help her exit the car. She resisted and was subsequently detained. Emergency medical personnel responded to evaluate the driver, who later admitted to taking narcotics but was unable to identify the substance.

The situation became even more urgent when officers discovered a 5-year-old child in the back seat who was completely unrestrained. Officers immediately secured the child and transported them to the police department for safety.

The driver was taken for medical evaluation and later booked on multiple charges, including DUI (fifth offense), reckless endangerment, child abuse, neglect and endangerment, resisting arrest, driving on a revoked license, and operating a vehicle without a functioning ignition interlock device. Her bond was set at $20,000.

During the investigation, officers also determined that the vehicle’s ignition interlock device appeared to have been tampered with, allowing the vehicle to operate without the required safeguards.

Police say the incident could have ended in tragedy, particularly given the icy road conditions and wrong-way travel. Thanks to the quick actions of La Vergne officers, the dangerous situation was stopped before anyone was injured.

Authorities remind the public: if you see dangerous driving, call 911. And if you are impaired, do not get behind the wheel.