JEFFERSON COUNTY – A Mount Pleasant man was arrested for OWI after he was reportedly seen driving the wrong way on Highway 34.

Court documents state that on Wednesday, November 11, at approximately 1:25 AM, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area near mile markers 214 and 215 on Highway 34 after multiple 911 calls reported a black Jeep traveling the wrong way.

A deputy located the Jeep traveling eastbound on Highway 34 at around 1:50, and they observed the vehicle swaying into both eastbound lanes before conducting a traffic stop.

The driver, who was identified as 32-year-old William Johnson, was the lone occupant of the vehicle. The deputy conducting the traffic stop reportedly noted that Johnson had bloodshot, watery eyes, and detected the odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle. Johnson refused to consent to field sobriety tests and was arrested.

After being transported to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility, Johnson again refused field sobriety tests and also refused a preliminary breath test; however, authorities say that under implied consent, he did conduct a breath sample on the Datamaster, which yielded a blood alcohol content of 0.116, which is above the legal limit.

Johnson now faces a serious misdemeanor charge of Operating While Under the Influence, First Offense.