On January 2, 2024, Texas State Troopers Cody Sagnibene and Dustin Johnson responded to a report from the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office regarding a reckless driver on IH-30 Westbound from Franklin County. The troopers located the reported vehicle, a Black Mercedes sedan, near the 131-mile marker. The vehicle was observed veering within its lane and struggling to maintain control.
Upon approaching the vehicle, the troopers witnessed it making an abrupt lane change with minimal space in front of a truck tractor. Following the lane change, the vehicle left its turn signal on briefly before deactivating it. The troopers initiated their emergency lights and pulled over the 2017 Black Mercedes Benz E300 passenger car, which came to a sudden stop in response.
Upon inspection, the troopers found a Caucasian woman, identified as 59-year-old Darla Johnson Keys of Mount Pleasant as the sole occupant of the vehicle. Keys seemed unaware of the reason for the stop and appeared unsteady on her feet. She admitted to having taken various prescription pills.
Due to concerns for Keys' safety, the troopers opted not to conduct the Walk and Turn or One Leg Stand Test. However, they observed all six clues for the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test. Consequently, Keys was arrested for her first offense of Driving While Intoxicated.
Keys declined to provide consent for a blood test, leading to the application and subsequent approval of a warrant. After obtaining the blood sample, Keys was transported to the Hopkins County Jail. Darla Johnson Keys now faces charges of Driving While Intoxicated, as she was booked into the Hopkins County Detention Center.
