Jose Florencio Garcia

Name:
Florencio Garcia, Jose

Date of Booking:
08/26/2025

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

Driving without a Valid License (Misdemeanor)

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

Hit and Run with (nonserious) injury and/or damage

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 Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at approximately 0106 hours, I responded Code 3, emergency lights and sirens, to the area of Hwy 82 and St Germaine Pl regarding a single vehicle Hit and Run.

While en route, the caller, [WITNESS #1], advised that the male driver was leaving the scene of the accident, walking West on Hwy 82, towards Winder. She gave the description of a male with black shorts on and no shirt.

Upon arrival, I observed a black 2021 Toyota Camry, bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], upside down, in the ditch just west of St Germaine Pl on Hwy 82. Sgt Johnson had arrived shortly before me and advised that the passenger side door was open, but no one was inside. I then began checking the area for the suspected driver. At approximately 0116 hours, Winder Officer Pierce located the male suspect in the construction zone at Hwy 82 and Lays St. The subject was subsequently detained by Deputy Daniels, and I arrived at the arrest location to take custody of him. Deputy Daniels searched the suspect, now identified as Jose Florencio Garcia, and found nothing of note. I then placed Jose in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle and drove him back to the accident location to be seen by the responding medical personnel.

Jose was checked, and his only complaint was about pain in his right leg, where some minor lacerations were visible. I read him Implied Consent for blood, and he refused, saying he did not understand English. I then transported Jose to the NEGMC, Winder location, to be medically cleared prior to taking him to jail. During the questions asked to Jose by the medical staff at the hospital, he admitted driving the vehicle and said he was wearing his seatbelt. I was able to observe a minor abrasion on his upper, left collarbone area, consistent with injuries sustained from seatbelt use during an accident. Once he was cleared, I transported him to the Barrow County Detention Center and transferred his custody to the Deputies on shift there without issue.

During the investigation, I observed a strong odor, consistent with the consumption of alcoholic beverages, coming from Jose. He was also unsteady on his feet and had glassy, watery, red eyes. It was also found that Jose did not possess a valid Driver’s License. Based on these observations, I was able to establish probable cause for the following offenses:

Violation of OCGA 40-6-270(c)(1)(A) Hit and Run in that Jose did admit to driving the 2021 Toyota Camry bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED] and did flee the accident scene on foot.

Violation of OCGA 40-6-391(a)(1) DUI less safe in that Jose did have the odor consistent with the consumption of alcoholic beverages coming from his person, was unsteady on his feet, and did have glassy, watery, red eyes. And did admit to driving the 2021 Toyota Camry bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], which was driven off the roadway, committing the less safe act of Failure to Maintain Lane, and crashed into a ditch.

Violation of OCGA40-5-20 Driving without a valid license in that Jose did admit to driving the 2021 Toyota Camry bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], and was found to have no valid license.

Violation of OCGA 40-6-48 Failure to Maintain Lane in that Jose did admit to driving the 2021 Toyota Camry bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], which was driven off the roadway, and crashed into a ditch.

Warrants were secured for the above offenses. [WITNESS #1] completed a written statement. The vehicle was removed from the accident scene by Hammond’s Wrecker, and an accident report was completed by Deputy Matherly. I inspected the rear seat of my patrol vehicle before and after transporting Jose and found nothing.

[End of Narrative]