Michael Richey

Name:
Richey, Michael Taylor

Date of Booking:
05/03/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI – DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On May 3rd, 2026 at approximately 0108 hours, Deputy Hill observed a driver unconscious in the driver’s seat of a running Ford Fiesta passenger car bearing Georgia Tag #[REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Deputy Hill observed a while male unconscious while seated in the driver’s seat of the aforementioned vehicle. Deputy Hill noted the vehicle was actively running with the keys in the ignition. Deputy Hill noted the position the driver was in appeared to be unnatural / uncomfortable as his neck was collapsed onto his right shoulder while it was not being supported by the seat or headrest. Deputy Hill looked around the vehicle and noted there was an open 12 pack of beer on the passenger side floorboard with several unopened beers surrounding it.

The occupant was later identified as Micheal Richey (D1) via his Georgia Driver’s License. Deputy Hil knocked on the window and startled Richey awake. Deputy Hill instructed Richey to exit the vehicle. Deputy Hill asked Richey if he was ok to which he stated he was. At this point, Deputy Hill noted a powerful odor consistent with an alcoholic beverage emanating from Richey and the interior fo the vehicle. Deputy Hill also noted Richey’s eyes were bloodshot and glossy.

Deputy Hill informed Richey that his sleeping position was unusual and asked him how he got to this point. Richey stated he got off of work and went to a girls birthday party. Deputy Hill asked Richey what he did at the birthday party to which he stated he was just hanging out. Deputy Hill asked Richey if he had been drinking to which he replied he drank a “couple” of beers (approximately 2-3). Richey advised the 12 pack was brand new when he purchased it at approximately 5pm.

Deputy Hill confronted Richey with all of the facts and circumstances to that point and asked him if he would submit to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) to which he agreed.

The results of the SFST’s are as follows:

Deputy Hill asked Richey if he suffered from resting nystagmus and he stated that he did not know what that was. Deputy Hill confirmed Richey has not suffered from a prior traumatic brain injury. Deputy Hill also confirmed Richey did not wear glasses or contacts. Richey also stated he did not suffer from any injuries to his lower extremities.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus:

Deputy Hill did not observe resting nystagmus. Deputy Hill noted Richey’s pupils were of even size. Deputy Hill noted Richey’s eyes were bloodshot and glossy / watery. Deputy Hill observed Richey’s eyes tracked equally. Deputy Hill observed a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes. Deputy Hill noted nystagmus prior to the onset of 45 degrees in both eyes. Deputy Hill observed distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation. Deputy Hill did not notice any vertical gaze nystagmus.

Lack of Convergence:

Richey’s eyes lacked convergence on the first pass. Deputy Hill confirmed Richey was following the stimuli the entire time. On the second pass, Richey’s eyes converged.

Walk and Turn:

Deputy Hill explained and demonstrated the exercise to Richey. Richey was given ample opportunity to ask clarifying questions. Richey was only instructed to begin the exercise after he indicated he understood the exercise and had no questions. This exercise occurred on the yellow painted parking space line. Richey agreed the line was reasonably straight and the ground was reasonably level. Richey failed to maintain the starting position due to the fact he raised his arms after being instructed to maintain the position until he was told to begin.

It should be noted Richey also advised he understood he could not exit the starting position prior to Deputy Hill continuing with instructions. Richey used his arms for balance during the exercise by raising them further than 6 inches from his body. Richey stepped off of the line multiple times. Richey failed to touch heel to toe on several steps. Richey lost balance which caused him to step off of the line. It also caused him to pause during the exercise rendering it to be not a continual motion as it was instructed to be. Richey also failed to take a series of small steps after his 9th step.

After the exercise, Deputy Hill asked Richey if he completed it to a satisfactory level. Richey stated he had a “couple of mis steps” and he “fell out”.

One leg Stand:

Deputy Hill explained and demonstrated the exercise to Richey. Richey was given ample opportunity to ask clarifying questions. Richey was only instructed to begin the exercise after he indicated he understood the exercise and had no questions. This exercise was completed in the same reasonably level area the Walk and Turn was done in. Richey swayed at the beginning of the exercise. Richey stopped looking at his foot at approximately 21 seconds. Richey began to be distracted by the fact Deputy Hill spat and placed his foot down at 24 seconds. Richey never picked his foot back up and restarted the exercise. Deputy Hill allowed Richey to re-open the exercise.

During this attempt Richey raised his leg and had his leg bent at the knee which was different than his first attempt and he was not instructed to do. Richey placed his foot down at 8 seconds and asked Deputy Hill for instruction. Deputy Hill informed him that he could not provide instruction and that he previously stated he understood the exercise 2 times prior. Richey never picked his foot up and restarted the exercise.

Modified Rhomberg Balance:

Deputy Hill explained and demonstrated the exercise to Richey. Richey was given ample opportunity to ask clarifying questions. Richey was only instructed to begin the exercise after he indicated he understood the exercise and had no questions. Richey swayed back at the beginning of the exercise. During the exercise, Richey swayed side to side slightly. Richey estimated the passage of 30 seconds in 37 seconds by Deputy Hill’s timer.

Deputy Hill asked Richey if he would participate in a preliminary breath test. Richey agreed to participate. Deputy Hill utilized his department issued Portable Breath Tester (PBT) to test a sample of Richey’s breath. The results of the sample was .122 g/210L.

Due to the facts and circumstances stated above, Deputy Hill found probable cause to arrest Richey for DUI. Richey was placed into handcuffs behind his back while Deputy Hill ensured double locking and proper fitment.

Deputy Hill read Richey Implied Consent via an agency issued Implied Consent card. Deputy Hill requested a blood sample from Richey who agreed to participate. Richey was transported to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center (Habersham) for the blood draw. Nurse [REDACTED] drew the blood from Richey and sealed it into the GBI blood test kit. Nurse [REDACTED] then relinquished custody of the GBI blood kit to Deputy Hill.

Richey was transported to the Banks County Jail (160 Windmill Farm Rd, Homer) without incident. Deputy Hill searched the rear prisoner compartment of his patrol vehicle before and after Richey occupied it. Subsequently, no contraband was located. It should be noted, while Richey was being searched in booking, the jailer located 5 beer can tabs in his pocket indicating Richey drank 5 beers not 2-3 beers.

Deputy Hill placed the GBI blood test kit into the Banks County Sheriff evidence lockers and evidence. Deputies got permission to leave Richey’s car in the QT parking lot from the QT clerk. Subsequently, no tow services were needed.

Deputy Hill has successfully attended the standardized field sobriety testing (SFST) and advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement (ABIDE) courses.

[End of Narrative]