Marion Russell

Name:
Russell, Marion Jermain

Date of Booking:
09/25/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
U-Turn Prohibited Where Turn not Safe/Interferes With Traffic

Hit and Run; Duty of Driver to Stop or Return to Scene of Accident

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 25, 2026]

On 09/25/2026 at approximately 1405 hours, I was dispatched to the area of Atlanta Hwy NW and Ed Hogan Rd in reference to a hit-and-run. I responded to the area code one. While enroute to meet the complainant, the RTCC operator advised that they had identified the suspect vehicle as a green Ford Expedition bearing GA tag [REDACTED]. Upon arrival, I met with the complainant, [VICTIM #1], and observed a white Jeep Cherokee bearing GA tag [REDACTED]. The Jeep had paint transfer and damage to the rear passenger-side area.

[VICTIM #1] stated that she was traveling West on Atlanta Hwy directly behind a black or green Ford Expedition. [VICTIM #1] stated that the Ford moved to the right-turn lane and then abruptly attempted to perform a U-turn, causing the front end of the Ford to collide with the rear passenger-side of the vehicle. [VICTIM #1] stated that she stopped in the turning lane and waited for the driver to stop, but instead of stopping as required by law, the driver continued making a U-turn and fled the scene. After obtaining all necessary information from [VICTIM #1], I provided her with a case card and explained the process for obtaining a copy of this report.

For more information regarding the on-scene accident investigation, please refer to the accident report under this case number. While speaking to [VICTIM #1], Deputy Jackson advised that he had located the suspect vehicle with front-end damage traveling south on Hog Mountain Rd. Deputy Jackson conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of P R Smith Blvd and Heartland Cir, and confirmed the driver, later identified as Marion Russell, was involved in the accident. Deputy Jackson advised that he detained Marion in handcuffs.

I relocated to the traffic stop and spoke to Deputy Jackson. Jackson stated that the vehicle he stopped had fresh front-end damage, and Marion admitted he was involved in the crash I was investigating. I approached Marion, read him his Miranda rights, asked him if he understood, and if, with those rights in mind, he wished to speak to me without his attorney. Marion agreed to speak to me by stating yes. I asked Marion what happened, and he stated that he was near the intersection of the crash to drop his girlfriend off at Carvana. Marion stated that he attempted to make a U-turn and felt like he hit something.

Marion stated that he waited for a minute for the driver of the other vehicle, but the driver didn’t return, so he left the scene. Based on the totality of the circumstances and the fact that Marion did not make a reasonable attempt to contact 911 to report the accident, I decided to place Marion under arrest. I placed Marion under arrest in a set of handcuffs behind his back, which were double-locked and checked for proper fit.

I searched Marion incident to arrest and did not locate any contraband. I then secured Marion in the back seat of my patrol vehicle and fastened the seat belt. Moments later, the vehicle and a firearm that Deputy Jackson had previously removed from Marion’s person were turned over to Marion’s friend per his request without further incident.

I transported Marion to the Barrow County Detention Center, where he was turned over to Detention staff without further incident.

The back seat of my patrol vehicle was searched before and after transport, with no contraband located.

Marion was cited for the following violations.

#139307 Hit and Run.
#139308 Unsafe U-Turn.

The original court copies of the citations were dropped in the citation box located in the Detention Center pre-booking area without further incident.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on September 25, 2026]

On September 25, 2026, at 1430 hours, I was conducting mobile patrol operations on University Pkwy near Smith Cemetery Rd. I was aware that other deputies were on the scene of a hit-and-run near Walmart. I heard the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) announce over the radio that the suspect vehicle was a green and tan Ford Expedition bearing license plate [REDACTED]. RTCC stated that it was last seen in the vicinity of E. Midland Ave and Atlanta Hwy. I diverted to Hog Mountain Rd via Smith Cemetery Rd to intercept if the vehicle continued down Hog Mountain Rd.

I observed a vehicle matching the description and confirmed the license plate as it passed my location. I initiated a traffic stop on Heartland Cir, and the driver, identified as Marion Russell, immediately pulled over. I exited my vehicle and introduced myself and the reason for the stop. I observed damage to the front of the vehicle that appeared to be very recent, as I was told to expect damage there. I had Russell step out of the vehicle. After first denying having any weapons, he told another deputy that he had a firearm on him.

A small SCCY 9mm handgun was recovered off his person. A GCIC check of that weapon did not return any negative results. Based on the weapon and the severity of the crime, I detained Russell until Deputy Arango arrived.

I waited until Ms. [REDACTED] arrived to take possession of the vehicle and handgun.

[End of Narrative]