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Coroner Charged With DUI After Arriving Impaired At Death Scene

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McKENZIE — Johnny Wilson, 61, of Gardner Road, Cedar Grove, the Carroll County coroner, was charged with driving under the influence after he arrived in an impaired condition at a death scene in McKenzie on March 23.
McKenzie Police Department filed the charges against Wilson, a paramedic, after he arrived at the scene at 12:14 p.m. after being called to the Chestnut Street scene shortly after 9:30 a.m.
Officers responded to a scene near Greater Enon Baptist in McKenzie. A male was lying on a lawn with a gunshot wound. Officers and Baptist Emergency Medical Services arrived. EMTs determined the subject was dead and authorities summoned the coroner to investigate.
McKenzie Police Chief Craig Moates and officers Dalton Raspberry, Ryan White, Jasmin Powell, and Assistant Chief Rick Sawyers each filed supporting reports of what they witnessed at the scene.

The reports indicated officers from MPD and TBI secured the scene and shielded the view of the public from the scene. A tent was erected to conceal the scene. When the coroner arrived, he was unsteady on his feet and was assisted to the scene. He told officers his blood-sugar was low and he was restricted from eating for a medical procedure he was having done. The reports indicated Wilson seemed confused and had to be reminded of the circumstance of the scene of the suicide.
A female TBI agent and Chief Moates held Wilson by each arm and steadied him as he leaned over to view the deceased.
Wilson was transported from the scene via ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County, his previous employer.
A judicial subpoena was approved by Circuit Judge Donald Parish to attain the records of Wilson’s medical treatment that day. According to the police report, his blood-alcohol level was .084 (84 mg/dL).
Last week, the Carroll County Budget Committee approved a rotation of three persons to serve as coroners for the county.