Felix Valenzuela

Name:
Valenzuela, Felix

Date of Booking:
10/20/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
Hit and Run; Duty of Driver to Stop or Return to Scene of Accident

Driving without a Valid License (Misdemeanor)

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 October 20, 2025 at approximately 0759 hours, I, Officer Gibbs, was dispatched to an accident located at 2nd Street and Richardson St, Winder, GA 30680. I traveled CODE 1 in marked patrol vehicle 385 to the above location.

Upon arrival, I met with the caller later identified as Melisa Lumley. Ms. Lumley advised that she was stopped at the stop sign on Richardson Street. Ms. Lumley explained that she looked both ways and did not see any other vehicles on the road. Ms. Lumley advised she began making a right turn onto 2nd Street. Ms. Lumley advised this is when she struck the Tacoma.

Ms. Lumley advised she pulled over, and spoke to the driver of the Tacoma. Ms. Lumley advised that the driver of the Tacoma, later identified as Felix Valenzuela, had stated he was in a rush to get to work. Ms. Lumley advised Mr. Valenzuela said he would contact his insurance company about the accident. Ms. Lumley advised he did not give her any identifying information. Ms. Lumley stated Mr. Valenzuela then drove away from the scene.

Ms. Lumley provided a description for the vehicle. She stated the vehicle was an orange Toyota Tacoma. She then provided the tag for the vehicle (GA Tag [REDACTED]). Sergeant Hill then searched the tag through GCIC/NCIC and found it to be registered to [REDACTED]. Sergeant Hill later advised that the address for the registered owner was [100 BLOCK] 2nd Street.

I then obtained information for all the passengers on the school bus. I then issued Ms. Lumley a citation #WC88533 for failure to yield after stopping at a sign. I then provided Ms. Lumley with a case card with the case number on it.

I then relocated to [100 BLOCK] 2nd Street where I observed a orange Toyota Tacoma parked on front of apartment [REDACTED]. The resident of apartment [REDACTED], Mr. Felix Valenzuela, then came outside. I asked him if he had been in an accident. Mr. Valenzuela advised he had been in an accident. Mr. Valenzuela then explained that she was driving westbound on 2nd Street when a school bus struck his vehicle. He then showed the damage to his vehicle. I then asked Mr. Valenzuela why he left the scene of the accident. He advised he was in a rush. He stated he told Ms. Lumley not to worry about the accident. He stated he left the scene of the accident and went home.

The Toyota Tacoma sustained scratches and dents to the passenger side rear.

I asked Mr. Valenzuela for the correct spelling of his name and his birthday. I then searched him through GCIC/NCIC and found him to not be licensed. I then advised Mr. Valenzuela that he was under arrest for driving with no license and hit and run. I then placed handcuffs around his wrists, ensuring they were double-locked and checked for proper fit. I then walked to my marked patrol car 385. I then conducted a search incident to arrest for weapons, contraband, and means of escape with negative results.

I then placed Mr. Valenzuela in the backseat of my marked patrol vehicle 385. I placed a seatbelt on him for safety. I placed his belongings in an evidence bag and secured it in the front seat of my patrol vehicle.

I then transported Mr. Valenzuela to the Barrow County Detention Center. Upon arrival at the Barrow County Detention Center, I released Mr. Valenzuela into the custody of the intake deputies. I filled out the necessary paperwork. I issued Mr. Valenzuela a citation, WC88535, for driving without a license. I issued Mr. Valenzuela a citation, WC88534, for hit and run leaving the scene of an accident with damage.

I searched my marked patrol vehicle 385 for contraband before and after transporting Mr. Valenzuela with negative results.

An accident report was completed.

Pictures of the damage were taken and later attached to the report.

[End of Narrative]