Katherine Hunter

Name:
Hunter, Katherine Caldwell

Date of Booking:
08/07/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Marijuana-possess less than 1 oz.

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

Speeding in Construction Zone

Consumption/Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area

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 August 07, 2026]

On 08/07/2026, I responded to the area of University Pkwy and Carl-Bethlehem Rd at the request of Lt. Hansen who was on a traffic stop.

Upon arrival, I spoke to Lt. Hansen who advised that he had stopped a black Mercedes Benz C300 (GA – [REDACTED]) for 95 mph in a 55-mph construction zone. He also advised that he suspected the driver, identified as Katherine Hunter, to be under the influence of alcohol as she was observed to have glassy eyes and slurred speech.

I then approached the vehicle and began speaking to Katherine. She stated that she was on her way home from a birthday party and that she had consumed one martini at dinner, approximately three hours prior. While speaking with Katherine, I could smell the odor commonly associated with that of an alcoholic beverage coming from the interior of the vehicle. I also observed Katherine to have glassy eyes and slurred speech. In addition to the odor of alcohol, I could also smell a faint odor of marijuana. Due to suspecting Katherine was under the influence of alcohol, I asked her to participate in voluntary field sobriety exercises, but Katherine refused.

After speaking with Lt. Hansen for a moment, I returned to the vehicle and instructed Katherine to exit. She then walked to the front of Lt. Hansen’s patrol vehicle where I continued to speak with her. She again stated that she had only consumed one martini but advised she did not have much to eat. Katherine again refused to participate in voluntary field sobriety exercises and refused to provide a breath sample. Katherine stated multiple times that she was just trying to get home and requested that I just follow her home. During this time, I could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from Katherine’s breath.

I then inquired about the odor of marijuana and Katherine stated that she has a medical marijuana card. I informed her that marijuana flower is not included under Georgia medical marijuana, and she stated that she smokes marijuana oil. I informed Katherine that a probable cause search of the vehicle would be conducted, and she stated that she refused and did not provide consent to search the vehicle. I informed Katherine that due to the odor of marijuana, I had probable cause to search the vehicle and did not need her consent.

During a probable cause search of the vehicle, a white Styrofoam cup containing an unknown alcoholic beverage was located in the door. Inside the cup was also a burnt marijuana blunt. A small glass jar containing approximately [REDACTED BY AGENCY] of marijuana was also located in the center console. The marijuana was collected and submitted into evidence. A Glock 19 (SN: BKRB725) was also located inside the vehicle. The firearm was collected and submitted into evidence for safekeeping.

Based on my observations, the traffic violations, the general demeanor of Katherine, and the totality of the circumstances, I believe Katherine was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol less safe. I informed her that she was under arrest for DUI (less safe), speeding, open container, and possession of marijuana. She was handcuffed behind her back. The handcuffs were checked for proper fit and double locked. Katherine was searched incident to arrest, and no weapons, contraband, or means of escape were located. She was placed in the rear seat of a patrol vehicle and secured with the seat belt. I read Katherine the Georgia Implied Consent Notice for suspects over the age of 21; however, she refused to submit to chemical testing of her blood.

Katherine was transported to the Barrow County Detention Center where she was released into the custody of the jail staff. I searched the back seat of my patrol vehicle for contraband before and after transport with negative results.

Katherine was issued citations for OCGA 40-6-391(a)(1) – DUI – Alcohol (Less Safe) (Citation No: E032325); OCGA 40-6-188 – Speeding in construction zone (Citation No: E032326); OCGA 16-13-2 – Possession of marijuana less than 1oz (Citation No: E032327); and OCGA 40-6-253 – Open container (Citation No: E032328)

Katherine was also served with the Georgia Department of Driver Services Notice of License Suspension due to her refusal to submit to the State administered chemical testing.

The vehicle was removed from the scene by Patrick’s Towing. An inventory of the vehicle was completed.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on August 07, 2026]

On 7 August 2026 at approximately 0303 hours, I was sitting stationary monitoring traffic on University Parkway eastbound, east of Patrick Mill Road SW, around mile marker 3 in Winder Barrow County Georgia. I observed a vehicle traveling eastbound at an estimated speed of 93 mph. This section of University Parkway is a construction zone with orange barrels and appropriate signage out marking the construction zone. Using a department Stalker XS Lidar (LH002412) I received a speed of 95-mph at 1,054 feet. As the vehicle passed me, I turned on my headlights and observed it to be a black passenger car. Pulling out onto University Parkway, I activated my emergency lights and siren and proceeded to catch up with the vehicle.

The vehicle, a 2022 black Mercedez Benz C300 displaying GA LPN [REDACTED] initially stopped in the turn lane to Carl-Bethlehem Road. However, upon exiting my patrol vehicle the Mercedez completed a right-hand turn and continued to travel down Carl-Bethlehem Road. I followed the vehicle with lights and siren activated, at one point ordering the driver to stop and pull over via my public address system. The Mercedez came to a stop, and I exited my patrol vehicle, drawing my service weapon and ordering the driver to turn the vehicle off. After several shouted commands, I heard a female’s voice advising the vehicle was off. I then approached the driver’s side window.

Contact was made with the female driver and sole occupant of the Mercedez. I introduced myself, requesting her license, and identified the driver as Katherine Hunter. I notified Katherine that the reason for the stop was 95-mph in a 55-mph construction zone. When asked where she was coming from Katherine advised she was coming from Buckhead. While speaking with Katherine, I observed her eyes to be glassy and she had slurred speech. I questioned Katherine as to how much she had drank tonight and she responded with not much. Suspecting Katherine may be under the influence, I contact Sgt. Bazinet via radio requesting him to respond.

Upon his arrival on scene, I explained the reason for the stop and the manifestations of intoxication I observed. I then turned the traffic stop over to Sgt. Bazinet. Katherine was ultimately arrested for DUI less safe, speeding in a construction zone and several other offenses. A probable cause search was conducted of the Mercedez based on the odor of marijuana Sgt. Bazinet smelled when he interacted with Katherine. Next list wrecker was called, and Patrick’s Towing responded and took possession of the Mercedez. A vehicle impound was completed.

[End of Narrative]