Staff Reports

During a traffic stop, north of DeFuniak Springs on the evening of June 16, Walton County Sheriff’s deputies encountered a drunk, naked driver.
A pick-up truck being driven by Dearry Smiley, 58, of DeFuniak Springs, was parked off the shoulder partially blocking traffic on County Highway 1883. Upon approaching the vehicle the deputy noted that Smiley was wearing only a hat, sunglasses and tan sandals.  Smiley reportedly remarked to the deputy, “What’s wrong with a man driving home naked, it’s not against the law.” The officer noted the smell of alcohol.
A woman in the front passenger seat, Phyllis Cumbie, 47, began yelling profanity at officers. Alcohol was noted coming from her breath. When the deputy tried to remove her from the car, she struck him with her fist. He was not injured, and she was handcuffed at the scene.
Smiley was booked for driving under the influence, and Cumbie faces a felony battery on a law enforcement officer charge. Both were booked into the Walton County Jail.