SRSO: Smoking pipe, three kids found in car with unconscious Jay man

A Jay man was allegedly found passed out in the driver's seat of his vehicle with a smoking pipe in his lap as three kids yelled for him to wake up.

Two witnesses said they were approaching the 10200 block of Nichols Creek Road on Saturday when they saw the white SUV in the middle of the road, still running.

The witnesses said they tried to get the vehicle to move several times and eventually got out of their cars and went to the SUV's window, where they allegedly saw Stephen Johnson, 40, slumped over the seat with his foot on the brake.

One of the witnesses told the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy investigating the incident that he was able to put the car in park, turn it off and take the keys to protect the three children inside.

The other witness said there was snot running from Johnson’s nose, drool coming from his mouth and a blue smoking pipe in his lap.

She said Johnson woke up moments before the deputy arrived on scene, and attempted to put the vehicle in gear while still in a daze.

Johnson told police he fell asleep behind the wheel while trying to drive home, according to his SRSO arrest report.

The deputy wrote in the report that he could see the pipe sticking out between a crack in the seat and the center console. The deputy also allegedly found a small baggie of spice inside a glasses case in the vehicle.

Johnson was arrested and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on one count of child neglect, a third-degree felony.

SRSO spokesman Sgt. Rich Aloy said Johnson does not currently face drug charges relating to the alleged spice and pipe in the vehicle, but the incident is still under investigation.

Johnson remains in custody on a $5,000 bond.

Emma Kennedy can be reached at ekennedy@pnj.com or 850-435-8680.