Tulsa Man Arrested
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Atoka Police Officer Jedediah Griffith was on routine patrol when he witnessed a black 2004 Cadillac Deville, traveling north on Highway 69, veer right to nearly strike the curb before veering back to the left to cross the center line multiple times.
Officer Griffith activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver, identified as Demetrius Gerary Cooksey, 44, of Tulsa, fumbled with his wallet to provide an Oklahoma driver’s license. There was a strong odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle, and the tag had expired in February of 2020.
Cooksey had red, bloodshot, watery eyes, and slurred speech. He told the officer he had one beer at the casino before driving.
Officer Griffith asked Cooksey to exit the vehicle. He agreed to take the Standardized Field Sobriety Test.
During the walk and turn portion of the test, Cooksey missed heel to toe, stepped off the white line, and used his arms for balance, before nearly falling.
Cooksey asked the officer if he could start the test over. Officer Griffith stopped the test for Cooksey’s safety after almost falling multiple times.
He was placed under arrest for: driving left of center, improper tag display, no valid security verification form, operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Cooksey agreed to take the State’s breath test and was transported to the Atoka County Jail for booking. Once at the jail, Cooksey refused to submit to the test stating, “I’m not blowing into anything.”
