John Shelton

Name:
Shelton, John Christopher

Date of Booking:
09/16/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Improper Lane Change/Failure to Maintain Lane

Consumption/Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area

Too Fast For Conditions

Reckless Driving

DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (less safe)

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 September 08, 2026]

Upon arrival of the crash scene (see details in crash report 2026-00058648), V1 was found upright on top of the concrete barrier (on the left side of the roadway). Personal belongings and parts of V1 were scattered throughout the roadway. Some of the belongings included a Walther semiautomatic .380 pistol, a phone, a pocketknife, and a key.

The driver of V1 (later identified as John Shelton) mentioned he was the only one involved in the crash. Without being prompted or asked, John freely admitted to me on scene that he was drunk. When asked by other deputies on scene, John mentioned he was traveling back from Athens and had alcoholic beverages (specifically two old fashions) approximately two hours earlier. Other deputies on scene also stated John had glossy eyes and slurred speech. However, due to the severity of the crash and John being transported to Piedmont Athens, SFSTs were not able to be conducted.

Prior to being transported to the hospital, John was trying to look for his phone in V1. While trying to look for his phone, I observed one open container of Coors Light underneath the gas petal of V1. John also gave consent to look inside his vehicle for his phone. However, John’s cell phone was later found further up the roadway near the first point of impact. Inside the vehicle,I observed another open container of Coors Light located in the passenger seat of V1. Outside the vehicle (by the rear passenger side tire) there was an open container of Coors Light inside a Georgia themed koozie.

John had visible cuts on his hands and arms and was transported by Med 3 to Piedmont Athens for treatment. Prior to being transported to Piedmont Athens, I was advised by the med unit staff that John had mentioned he was doing speeds of approximately 90+mph at the time of the crash. The crash was located inside a posted 55mph construction zone. Due to the totality of the circumstances listed above and in combination of the advised speed and disregard for the property and safety of others on the roadway, John was charged with reckless driving. Additionally, John was charged with DUI alcohol less safe (details listed above), too fast for conditions (for the conditions of the roadway and being a construction zone), failure to maintain lane, and open container of alcohol. Because John was being transported to the hospital for treatment, warrants were issued for his arrest. The warrant information is as follows:

DUI Alcohol Less Safe
OCGA 40-6-391 A1
Warrant#:2026-2840MW

Too Fast for Conditions
OCGA 40-6-180
Warrant#:2026-2842MW

Failure to Maintain Lane
OCGA 40-6-48
Warrant#:2026-2844MW

Reckless Driving
OCGA 40-6-390
Warrant#:2026-2841MW

Open Container of Alcohol
OCGA 40-6-253
Warrant#:2026-2843MW

John was given a case card with my name, badge number, and the case number assigned. He was advised approximately when and where he could obtain a copy of the crash report.

V1 was towed away from the scene by All County towing.

John’s wife arrived on scene inquiring about her husband. She was told where her husband had been transported for treatment. The Walther semi-automatic .380 pistol, the cellphone, the pocketknife, and a key were relinquished into her custody/care.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on September 16, 2026]

On 9/16/2026 at around 1900 hours, a male approached me while at UPD, identifying himself as John Shelton. Mr. Shelton provided me with his GA driver’s license and advised me that he was there to turn himself in on outstanding warrants for his arrest.

I performed a GCIC/NCIC inquiry of Mr. Shelton’s information, which revealed he had outstanding warrants out of Barrow County. Once dispatch confirmed his warrants were valid, I placed him in proper-fit, double-locked handcuffs to the rear of his person. I searched him incident to arrest and placed him into the rear seat of my patrol vehicle. I transported him to the Detention Center, where he was turned over to staff there without incident.

The rear seat of my patrol vehicle prior to/after transport, as well as the search of his person, all yielded negative results for contraband.

[End of Narrative]