Cops made a gruesome discovery while executing a seemingly routine traffic stop — a severed torso.
On Sunday morning, Dorrae Debrice Johnson’s 2006 Chevy Impala was stopped by a Tennessee Highway patrol trooper for failing to maintain a single lane while traveling on interstate 40-west.
It was during a second stop — by the same trooper — for driving erratically, where the torso was discovered on the passenger floorboard of the car.
According to a warrant obtained by local station KHOU-11, Johnson originally drove away before being seen driving onto Sutherland Ave. When authorities tried to turn off Johnson’s ignition, they observed the upper part of a man’s body.
Investigators believe Johnson, who admitted to being “blitzed,” was driving while intoxicated.
Johnson smelled of alcohol. He also had bloodshot, watery eyes and had staggered when he ran.
When asked about the identity of the body part, Johnson said he and the passenger had switched seats but when authorities went back to the scene where the victim was believed to have been hit they found the lower half of the body.
Johnson reportedly struck and killed the pedestrian, identified as 65-year-old Darryl Eugene Butler, whose wallet was found at the scene.
A Facebook post from Volunteer Ministry Center said the victim was formerly homeless and worked hard to get off the streets and was recently placed in housing.
“Even though life had not always been easy, Darryl was a bigger than life personality and will be remembered for his smile, contagious positive attitude and always having a story to share with others. You will be remembered Daryl,” the post read.
Johnson, who has an arrest record stretching more than a decade, faces charges of vehicular homicide, evading arrest, and driving with a revoked license.
