Felon convicted of DUI in 2022 I-40 crash in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A man has been convicted of driving under the influence and other charges related to a crash on I-40 in August 2022, according to the Knox County District Attorney’s office.

District Attorney Charme Allen released on Thursday that Clint Steven Foster, 42, was convicted of driving under the influence, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, simple possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Allen’s release stated that Foster was driving under the influence when he crashed a vehicle on I-40 at Alcoa Highway.

During the two-day trial, prosecutors explained to the jury that on August 18, 2022, a Knoxville police officer responded to the single-vehicle crash and saw Foster slumped over in the drivers seat. Through slurred speech, Foster reportedly told the officer he didn’t know what happened.

When asked to step out of the vehicle, Foster crawled to the passenger side, stuck his head out of the window and said he would get out after the car behind him passed, Allen’s release said. The officer informed Foster that the car in question was his parked police car.

Foster then crawled out of the car, needing to hold onto the vehicle to stand, according the release. Officers reported he became argumentative when asked to perform field sobriety tests,. A small bag of methamphetamine and three needles were found inside the vehicle. The DA’s office said Foster had an outstanding warrant from a separate methamphetamine trafficking and firearm case.

Allen’s office added that in later court proceedings, Foster claimed he was having a diabetic episode and then changed his claim to state that he had a concussion.

“Luckily, no one was injured in the accident, but this is another example of the dangers of
impaired driving,” said Allen.

Foster had a prior felony conviction for possession with intent to sell methamphetamine.

Foster is expected back in court for sentencing on August 29, where he will face a sentence of one to two years, The DA’s office said. The release explained that the mandatory minimum sentence for a DUI first offense conviction if 24 to 48 hours in jail, DUI school, a $350 fine, and a license revocation for a year, and that simple possession of methamphetamine carries a minimum of 30 days in jail. At the sentencing, prosecutors are expected to seek additional jail time to serve as a deterrent for future impaired driving.

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