Simon Duffey
A local auto salesman has been arrested after driving a Lexus sedan the wrong way on Highway 27 north of town.
Police said Simon Duffey, 35, of 3427 Clio Ave., almost struck head-on an ambulance from Warren County with three people inside.
Duffey was charged with attempted vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI, driving the wrong way, making an improper turn and failure to exercise due care.
Police said numerous callers to 911 told of a vehicle driving south in the northbound lane driving in a reckless manner.
The ambulance driver said he was barely able to stop in time to avoid a collision. He said he turned on his emergency lights and led the driver off the Signal Mountain Boulevard exit. He remained with him until police arrived.
Police said they found three needles, suspected heroin and 15 packets of suboxone in the vehicle.
They said Duffey's pupils were constricted and he performed poorly on field sobriety tests.
He posted a $37,500 bond.