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Name:
Piedra-Castaneda, Eduardo
Date of Booking:
05/02/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Knowingly Driving a Motor Vehicle on Suspended, Canceled, Revoked Registration
Consumption/Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol-Concentration 0.08g or more w/in 3 hrs
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.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on May 02, 2026]
On May 2nd, 2026, at approximately 2145 hours, I (Deputy Wright S122) responded to assist Deputy Hill on a traffic stop of a red 2022 Toyota Tundra [REDACTED] at the intersection of University Parkway/Kilcrease Rd. Prior to the traffic stop being initiated, we received a BOLO for this same vehicle driving over 100 MPH and serving between all lanes, going westbound on University Parkway. I approached the passenger side of the vehicle and saw that there was an open Coors Light can sitting in the center console. Deputy Hill stated the driver had a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath, and he had bloodshot/watery eyes. Deputy Hill requested I run the driver through SFST to ensure he was safe to continue to drive.
The driver, Eduardo Piedra Castaneda, was asked to exit his vehicle and walk to the front of one of our patrol vehicles. When Eduardo exited the vehicle, he immediately stumbled and could smell the overwhelming smell of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. I asked Eduardo where he was coming from and if he had anything to drink. He stated that he was coming from Athens and he had not had anything to drink. I asked him how the opened Coors Light can got inside his vehicle, and he responded by shrugging his shoulders. Eduardo verbally agreed to participate in SFST.
I medically qualified Eduardo to be able to participate in SFST. I verified that he had equal pupil size, that he did not have resting nystagmus, and that he had equal tracking between both eyes. Eduardo said he did not have any medical problems or any injuries to his body that would prevent him from participating in SFST.
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)
I observed the following validated clues during the HGN evaluation:
-Lack of smooth pursuit (both eyes)
-Distinct and sustained Nystagmus at maximum deviation (both eyes)
-Onset of Nystagmus prior to 45 degrees (both eyes)
I observed 6/6 of the validated clues during HGN, I also observed vertical Nystagmus.
I explained the instructions for the HGN evaluation, which Edurado stated he understood. However, during the evaluation, Edurado continued to turn his entire head while following my finger, even though I instructed him to only follow my finger with his eyes.
Walk and Turn (W&T)
I observed the following validated clues during the W&T evaluation:
Instructional stage
-Cannot keep balance while listening to instructions
-Starts too soon
Walking stage
-Stops while walking
-Steps off line
-Does not touch heel to toe
-Improper turn
-Incorrect number of steps
I observed 7/8 validated clues during the W&T evaluation.
I explained and demonstrated the instructions for the W&T evaluation, and Edurado stated he understood. During the first pass down the line, Edurado took 15 steps and did not touch heel to toe. Once he finished, I had to explain to him that he was supposed to pass again. On the second pass down the line, he took 14 steps.
One Leg Stand (OLS)
I observed the following validated clues:
-Puts foot down
-Sways while balancing
-Uses arms to balance
-Hopping
I observed 4/4 of the validated clues during the OLS evaluation.
I explained and demonstrated the instructions for the OLS, and Eduardo stated he understood. While explaining the instructions, Eduardo held his arms straight out to the side. Eduardo used his arms to balance the entire time and hopped almost the entire duration.
Edurado agreed to use a PBT, which resulted in a positive result. I read Eduardo his implied consent notice for persons over 21 years old (green card). Eduardo verbally agreed to provide a state-administered breath test.
I spoke with Deputy Hill and explained that it was very apparent that Eduardo was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Deputy Hill later placed Eduardo under arrest. For additional information, please see Deputy Hill’s incident report.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #1 on May 02, 2026]
On 05/02/2026 at approximately 2145 hours, I observed a red Toyota Tundra bearing Ga plates [REDACTED] travelling west on University Pkwy approaching the intersection of Kilcrease Rd. in Auburn, Ga 30011.
Dispatch just put out a BOLO for this vehicle for speeds of over 100mph and for driving all over the roadway as well as cutting through traffic. I saw the vehicle pass me on University Pkwy and Carl-Bethlehem Rd. Deputy Simmons and Sgt. Bazinet were also trying to catch up to the vehicle and Sgt. Bazinet informed me the vehicle had a suspended registration. I got behind the vehicle before the Kilcrease Rd. intersection and initiated my emergency lights and sirens and conducted a traffic stop.
I approached the driver side window, introduced myself, and noticed the driver had blood shot eyes and no shirt on. There was an open container sitting in the middle console and I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage when the driver, Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda, spoke to me. I asked Eduardo to step out of the truck and walk to the front of my patrol vehicle. Eduardo staggered some as he was walking to my patrol car and when he got to the front of it, I could still smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him. I asked Deputy Wright to perform field sobriety tests on him. Deputy Wright performed the field sobriety tests and determined that he was under the influence. I searched the vehicle due to the open container and found two beer cans which were still cool to the touch. One was empty in the center console and the other was still approximately 3/4 of the way full in the center console. Pictures of the open containers will be attached to this report.
I placed Eduardo under arrest. I placed him in handcuffs, checked them for fitment, and double locked them. I searched him incident to arrest. I read implied the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for persons over 21 years of age and asked if he would consent to the state administered chemical test of his breath. Edaurdo submitted to the state administered test of his breath. I placed him in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle and transported him to the Barrow County Detention Center. Deputy Sanson met me at the Detention Center and operated the intox machine to obtain a breath sample from Eduardo. The test results showed an alcohol concentration of 0.192g. The Per Se limit is 0.08g. I served Eduardo with a 1205 form and confiscated his license. A copy of the 1205 form was left with is property at the Detention Center. A copy of the 1205 was turned into the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office with his license attached to be sent to DDS.
Eduardo was cited for the following.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol: Cit #141812
Open Container: Cit # 141813
Driving on a Suspended Registration: Cit # 141814
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
5/26/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY FILES ENTRY OF APPEARANCE — CASE NO. 26-NA-00534
What this means: Attorney Tiffani Smith-Johnson of Gonzalez Cabrera Torres LLC formally notified the State Court of Barrow County that she would be representing Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda in case number 26-NA-00534. This is a standard procedural step that puts the court and the prosecution on notice that the defendant has legal representation and that all future communications should go through defense counsel.
5/26/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION AND DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY — CASE NO. 26-NA-00534
What this means: Attorney Tiffani Smith-Johnson filed a formal request on behalf of Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda asking the State Court of Barrow County to order the prosecution to turn over all evidence related to the case. This included police reports, witness lists, any statements made by the defendant while in custody, scientific reports, video or audio recordings, booking photographs, and any evidence that could be favorable to the defense — including anything that might contradict the prosecution’s witnesses or reduce the potential punishment. This type of request is a routine and important part of the defense process, ensuring the defendant’s legal team can review all evidence before any court proceedings.
6/10/26
ACCUSATION FILED — 4 COUNTS AGAINST EDUARDO PIEDRA-CASTANEDA — CASE NO. 26-ST-00596
What this means: Chief Assistant Solicitor-General Kristen L. Murphy formally filed charges against Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda in the State Court of Barrow County. The accusation — which is the formal charging document used in State Court — laid out four counts stemming from an alleged incident on University Parkway on May 2, 2026.
Count 1 accused Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda of DUI Per Se, alleging that he drove a vehicle while his blood alcohol concentration was .08 grams or more within three hours of driving, in violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391(a)(5).
Count 2 accused Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda of DUI Less Safe (Alcohol), alleging that he drove a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it was less safe for him to drive, in violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391(a)(1).
Count 3 accused Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda of Driving on Suspended, Canceled, or Revoked Registration, alleging that he knowingly drove a motor vehicle on a public road when the vehicle’s registration was suspended, in violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-15.
Count 4 accused Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda of Open Container, alleging that he unlawfully possessed an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public highway, in violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-253.
6/12/26
EDUARDO PIEDRA-CASTANEDA PLEADS GUILTY TO DUI LESS SAFE — CASE NO. 26-ST-00596
What this means: Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda entered a negotiated guilty plea to Count 2 — DUI Less Safe (Alcohol) — in the State Court of Barrow County before Judge Robert M. Gardner, Jr. of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit. The plea was represented by defense attorney Tiffani Smith-Johnson. The plea statement confirms the defendant was not under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications at the time of signing, and that the plea was entered freely and voluntarily. The plea agreement, as written on the plea statement, called for 12 months, a $1,664 fine, 40 hours of community service, DUI Risk Reduction (DUI school), no alcohol, and random drug screens.
6/12/26
THREE COUNTS DISMISSED VIA NOLLE PROSEQUI — CASE NO. 26-ST-00596
What this means: In connection with Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda’s guilty plea to Count 2, the State of Georgia — through Assistant Solicitor-General Kristen L. Murphy — moved to dismiss the remaining three counts. Judge Robert M. Gardner, Jr. granted the motion, and a nolle prosequi (a formal dismissal) was entered on Count 1 (DUI Per Se), Count 3 (Driving on Suspended/Canceled/Revoked Registration), and Count 4 (Open Container). These charges will not be prosecuted further. The dismissals were entered in consideration of the guilty plea to Count 2.
6/12/26
SENTENCE IMPOSED — EDUARDO PIEDRA-CASTANEDA — CASE NO. 26-ST-00596
What this means: Following his guilty plea to DUI Less Safe (Alcohol), Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda was sentenced in the State Court of Barrow County. The total sentence was 12 months, with the entirety to be served on probation. A fine of $1,664 was assessed. The sentence also included 40 hours of community service to be completed within a set number of days, with transportation provided by the defendant. Eduardo Piedra-Castaneda was required to report to the Probation Office in Winder, Georgia within 24 hours of release. A probation supervision fee of $45 plus $9 per month was ordered beginning in June 2026.