LONDON, KY - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Austyn Weddle along with Deputy Wes Brown and Deputy Noah Ritchie arrested Eric B. Payne age 34 of JRS Drive, Somerset. KY on Monday night October 10, 2022 at approximately 9:03 PM.
The arrest occurred on I–75 south of London after Deputy Weddle was dispatched to investigate a non injury traffic crash there.
Upon arrival at the scene Deputy Weddle located a silver Pontiac G6 involved in the crash and noted observing the driver throwing pills out of his vehicle and off his person.
Responding deputies attempted to recover the unidentified pills.
Deputy Weddle detained and arrested the driver of the crashed vehicle, Eric B. Payne (left) who was determined to be under the influence.
Eric Payne was charged with:
- Operating a motor vehicle under the influence – first offense
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Prescription controlled substances not in proper container – first offense
- Possession of a controlled substance.
This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Photo of the accused is courtesy of the Laurel County Correctional Center.
The recovered pills will be sent to the lab for identification.
