Maryville, TN — Alex Rouse, a physical education teacher at John Sevier Elementary School in Maryville, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of narcotics. The arrest occurred on Saturday, February 8, following an incident on February 7, when police responded to reports of a reckless driver in the Alcoa area.
According to an Alcoa Police Department incident report, officers were alerted to a red Toyota driving erratically near the intersection of Pellissippi Highway and Alcoa Highway around 2:30 p.m. Several calls were made to law enforcement, describing the vehicle weaving in and out of ditches and traveling at a high rate of speed. Officers located the car near a Subway restaurant and initiated a traffic stop.
Upon making contact with Rouse, officers observed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol. When questioned, Rouse claimed he had consumed cold medicine, not alcohol. Despite his statement, officers administered two sobriety tests, which Rouse reportedly passed, and consented to a search of his vehicle.
During the search, a police K-9 assisted in locating a folded piece of paper containing a brownish-pink powder. The substance was later tested and confirmed to be fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. Following the discovery, Rouse was taken into custody and transported to the Blount County Jail. Officers obtained a warrant for a blood test, and Rouse allegedly spoke about entering rehab during the procedure.
In response to the arrest, Maryville City Schools issued a statement confirming that Rouse has been placed on suspension while his criminal charges are pending. The district declined to comment further, referring all inquiries to the Alcoa Police Department.
Rouse, who has been employed by the school district for several years, is currently facing charges related to driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance. His future with the school system will likely depend on the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings.
This case highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding drug use and impaired driving, as well as the potential impact on educators and their professional responsibilities. The Alcoa Police Department continues to investigate the incident, and additional details may be released as the case progresses.
