James Stokes

Name:
Stokes, James Leonard

Date of Booking:
09/18/2026

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 September 18, 2026, at approximately 1234 hours, I was dispatched to [90 BLOCK] E Wright Street, Winder, GA, 30680, in reference to a report of a Hit and Run. The caller advised that he was struck by a motorcycle, and the rider fled the scene in another vehicle. The caller advised that the motorcycle was left in the church parking lot at 100 E Wright Street. I responded Code 1 to the scene in a marked patrol vehicle (Non-Emergency). I located a red Harley-Davidson motorcycle (GA Tag [REDACTED]) in the Church of God parking lot. Mr. Smith was at [90 BLOCK] E Wright Street upon my arrival.

I relocated to the residence to speak to Mr. Randy Smith. Mr. Smith advised that he was turning into the residential driveway when he collided with the motorcycle. The motorcycle was traveling eastbound in the opposite lane. Mr. Smith attested that he initially stopped in the roadway before turning; however, he noticed the motorcycle slowing down as it approached his vehicle. Mr. Smith stated that he began turning into the driveway. Both vehicles hit head-on. Based on Mr. Smith’s statement, it appeared as if the motorcycle never came to a stop on East Wright Street. Mr. Smith stated that he pulled his blue Honda Civic (GA Tag [REDACTED]) into the driveway at [90 BLOCK] E Wright Street, but the motorcycle rider continued traveling eastbound into the church parking lot. I was advised that a black Buick sedan pulled into the church behind the motorcycle. The driver of the sedan was described as a tall white male with possibly gray or blonde hair.

The motorcycle rider was described as an older age white male who had a blue bandana scarf on his head. I was advised that the motorcycle rider left in the black sedan and continued eastbound on E. Wright Street. I conducted a GCIC/NCIC inquiry on the motorcycle, and the registered owner was identified as Mr. [REDACTED]. Mr. [REDACTED] was associated with a Brooks Lane address near Midland Ave. An assisting unit checked the area with County and had negative contact with Mr. [REDACTED] or the black Buick sedan. A county unit advised that the vehicle we were looking for was possibly on Eastbrook Drive. Cpl. Maleski and a deputy located a black Buick Park Avenue at Eastbrook Drive and provided a Georgia license plate “[REDACTED]”.

I conducted a GCIC/NCIC inquiry on the vehicle, and the registered owner matched the description of the Buick sedan driver. I advised Cpl. Maleski to stop the vehicle and detain the driver as he was a possible suspect. Cpl. Maleski then advised that another white male was in the passenger seat. Cpl. Maleski confirmed that the passenger was the motorcycle rider. I requested Cpl. Maleski that I had charges against the motorcycle rider and to place him in custody. I also asked Cpl. Maleski to ensure the other party came back to the scene so I could talk to him.

Upon Cpl. Maleski’s arrival, I spoke with my suspect and the Buick sedan driver. The Buick driver was identified as Mr. [WITNESS #1]. Mr. [WITNESS #1] stated he was behind the blue Honda Civic when it cut off the motorcycle. Mr. [WITNESS #1] advised that he initially went over to the church to check on the motorcycle rider as the residents at the East Wright residence were checking on the person in the Honda. Mr. [WITNESS #1] advised that the motorcycle rider asked him for a ride to an address on Eastbrook Drive. He stated he dropped him off and was then called back by the motorcycle rider to pick him up and bring him back. Mr. [WITNESS #1] attested that he had no prior connection to the motorcycle rider. I ultimately released him from the scene.

Next, I spoke to the motorcycle rider, who was identified as Mr. James Leonard Stokes Sr. I read the Miranda warning to Mr. Stokes, and he agreed to speak to me. I explained to Mr. Stokes that I was aware of the accident, and he was not at fault, but I was unsure why he left the scene. Mr. Stokes advised that he didn’t have a valid driver’s license, so he left the scene, but then decided to come back for the motorcycle. However, he stated that he was intercepted by law enforcement and ultimately confessed to being the motorcycle rider. Note: Mr. Stokes did not report the accident to emergency communications, nor did he provide information to the other party involved before he left the scene of the accident. Mr. Stokes stated he wasn’t sure why he left the scene.

Furthermore, when I conducted a GCIC/NCIC inquiry on Mr. Stokes, it showed that his Georgia’s driver’s license had been revoked since 1996. Mr. Stokes had no other license from any other state. Based on the totality of the circumstances, I found Mr. Smith at fault for the initial collision and cited him for failing to yield. I charged Mr. Stokes with leaving the scene of the accident and operating the motorcycle without a valid driver’s license. I placed him in custody. Mr. Stokes was arrested with his hands behind his back, and the handcuffs were double-locked and adjusted for proper fit. I searched Mr. Stokes incident to arrest for contraband, weapons, or any means of escape. The search yielded negative results. I placed Mr. Stokes in the back seat of patrol vehicle #396. Mr. Stokes was buckled in. His belongings were secured in the front area of my patrol vehicle.

I requested next list towing service for the motorcycle. Hammond’s Wrecker was dispatched to retrieve the vehicle. I transported Mr. Stokes to the Barrow County Detention Center without incident. Upon my arrival to the Barrow County Detention Center, Mr. Stokes and his belongings were turned over to the staff. My Watch Guard body camera was worn and activated. The onboard mobile camera from my patrol vehicle was activated during transportation. I issued Mr. Stokes two traffic citations for the hit-and-run investigation, and Mr. Randy Smith a citation for the initial crash. An accident report was completed and attached to this case file.

I provided Mr. Randy Smith with a copy of his citation:
Citation# WC003627 – Failure to Yield crossing roadway

I provided Mr. James Stokes with a copy of his citation:
Citation# WC003628 – Leaving scene of an accident with damage
Citation# WC003629 – No valid driver’s license

[End of Narrative]