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VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - A Valdosta man is behind bars after he fell asleep behind the wheel at a busy intersection.

A Valdosta police officer took notice when a vehicle was stopped at a green light in the intersection of Bemiss Road and Northside Drive.

When the car did not move, the officer attempted to make contact with the driver. Responding officers found the car was still in drive when they woke the driver, 29-year-old Jarious Gardner, a convicted felon.

The Valdosta Police Department says that when Gardner woke, he appeared confused, failed to obey commands and had a smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle.

Officers detained Gardner due to suspicion of him driving under the influence.

A search of Gardeners vehicle uncovered a firearm behind the driver’s seat and what appeared to be MDMA or ecstasy in pill form.

Gardner was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Possession of MDMA
• Driving under the influence of alcohol-refusal

He was transported to the Lowndes County Jail.

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