TDOT: Rest Areas Are Safe
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MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. -Accusations against an I-40 rest area attendant are raising questions about driver safety, said Tennessee Department of Transportation officials. The Madison County Sheriff’s Department arrested and charged Wilbert Taylor, 51 of Bells on one count of sexual battery, Sunday morning. Deputies said, around 4:30 a.m. they believe Taylor inappropriately touched a female driver in the bathroom of the I-40 east bound rest area near mile marker 72. Investigators said Taylor approached the victim while she was in the women’s restroom and rubbed her breasts as she was trying to leave. The victim told deputies the suspect left the room after she threatened to spray him with a can of pepper spray. Nichole Lawrence, who is a TDOT representative told 7 Eyewitness News, her co-workers were shocked by Taylor’s arrest. Lawrence said Taylor is a contracted employee and was known for being a family man. Officials said they believe TDOT’s clean history proves this is a rare incident. “I’ve worked here for 17 years and nothing to my knowledge has ever happened like this,” said Lawrence. The accusations against Taylor have some drivers questioning their own safety while at the state’s rest areas. “That’s not good, I mean this should be a safe place. This should be a safe place, where people can come stretch there legs,” said motorist Jackie Johnson. Officials said Taylor passed extensive FBI background checks which were given before he was hired. “Mr. Taylor passed or else he would not have been working,” said Lawrence. Motorist Charlotte Verga, who often stops to picnic at the rest area on mile marker 72, said she is always cautious. “You always watch your backside, preferably only stops at a place like this when there is another car available or more people,” said Verga. Drivers said,learning of the accusations against the attendant made them question their safety when visiting rest areas along the highway. “I would never stop at any rest area by myself as a woman,” said Johnson. Although the attendants are not viewed as security guards, Lawrence said she believes having an attendant present is more safe for drivers. “I would say they would be more dangerous without the attendant, because it gives the sense of the presence of someone there,” said Lawrence. Residents should not be frightened, because each rest area along the highway is routinely checked said TDOT officials. “TDOT just stresses for everyone not to be afraid to go to our rest areas and our welcome centers, because they are safe,” said Lawrence. Officials said in light of this incident, they will be looking into ways of increasing safety.
