By DEREK HODGES

Staff Writer

SEVIERVILLE — The man accused of causing a major accident on Labor Day has spoken publicly for the first time since the wreck, sending a letter to The Mountain Press from Sevier County Jail.

Randy D. Zlobec, 34, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., says he’s innocent of the DUI charges facing him, saying he simply fell asleep at the wheel, and accuses officers on the scene of abusing him.

Zlobec’s letter, which is handwritten and was mailed in an envelope stamped with the notice it was sent by an inmate, claims he was not under the influence of any illegal substance at the time of the Labor Day wreck on Highway 66. He does, however, admit to having taken Clonazepam, an anti-anxiety drug given to people who suffer seizures. He says he took the drug the previous evening.

“I am an ordained minister and by no means was I intoxicated when the accident occurred. I simply dozed off from a long time of driving,” Zlobec writes. “They took my blood alcohol here at the county jail and there was absolutely no trace of alcohol only 1/2 of Clonazapam [sic] I had taken the night before which I am prescribed.”

Sevierville police spokesman Bob Stahlke said the results of the blood toxicology done on Zlobec were not available Tuesday, so it’s not clear what test Zlobec is referring to. Stahlke did offer a defense of the charges in the face of Zlobec’s claims.

“Our officers interviewed numerous witnesses, Mr. Zlobec and completed a preliminary crash investigation and, based on that information, the charges were filed,” Stahlke said. “We’re confident that the charges are prudent and justified.”

One of the side effects listed for Clonazepam is drowsiness. Though Stahlke would not comment on this case specifically as it is an ongoing investigation, he did say DUI charges can be filed if it is believed use of a prescription drug contributed to an accident.

Stahlke also pointed out there was no blood test done on Zlobec at the jail. Rather, as is standard procedure, he was transported to Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center to have blood drawn.

Zlobec goes on to address his fleeing the scene of the accident, which led to a charge of failure to render aid to go along with four felony counts.

Witnesses said Zlobec stuck around for a short time after the accident, though as emergency vehicles neared, they say he took off, running to the nearby Little Pigeon River and fording the waterway before being apprehended by officers on the opposite bank. However, Zlobec’s account of the situation differs.

“I was assaulted by officers continuously, which is why I jumped in the river fearing for my life!!” Zlobec writes. “I have never been treated so poorly in my life!!”

Stahlke flatly denies Zlobec’s contention that he was abused by law enforcement officials, saying it would have been impossible for that to be the cause of Zlobec’s flight.

“Sevierville Police Department officers had no contact with Mr. Zlobec until he had crossed the river,” Stahlke said. “It’s also my understanding no other officers had contact with him prior to his being taken into custody on the west side of the river.”

Zlobec makes no attempt to explain why he apparently attempted to use several aliases and the names of other individuals when he was questioned by officers. Zlobec was driving a Chevrolet Silverado towing a vehicle on a rented trailer and is believed to have been on his way to a car show in Pigeon Forge. He wrote that he has family who were waiting for him the day of the accident.

“I hope something or someone out there can help me,” he writes. “My wife and child are stuck out there and I should be out handling the insurance to make sure everyone is OK. Instead they stuck me here with a 250,000 (dollar) bond.”

Among Zlobec’s written version of the accident are an apology and his hope those hurt in the chain reaction wreck recover fully.

“First and foremost, I would like to appologize [sic] for causing the accident on (Highway) 66 with the pile up,” Zlobec writes. “I would also prey [sic] that everyone involved came out OK and with no life long injuries.”

As for the others involved in the Sept. 7 wreck, at least two of them have been discharged from University of Tennessee Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said Tuesday. Most recently, 4-year-old Karina Rios was released after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pancreas and treatment for lacerations to her liver.

Melika Lakhani, who was driving the Mazda that bore the brunt of the impact in the wreck, was also sent home, but it’s not clear if the two children in her vehicle remain in the hospital.

n dhodges@themountainpress.com