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Name:
Ross, Quayla Rashanda
Date of Booking:
05/02/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Consumption/Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area
Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance
Following Too Closely
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (less safe)
Consumption/Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area
Improper Lane Change/Failure to Maintain Lane
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.]
On May 1, 2026, at approximately 2129 hours, I, Ofc Melniciuc, was dispatched to Martin Luther King Jr Dr/ E New St, Winder, Ga 30680 in reference to an Accident with injuries. The caller stated an accident had occurred and that the other driver was possibly intoxicated. I traveled to location code 3. Prior to receiving the call, a BOLO was issued for a purple Kia Optima, stating that the driver was all over the roadway and possibly under the influence.
Upon my arrival, I observed two vehicles in the roadway and two females arguing back and forth in the middle of MLK Jr Dr. As I approached the first vehicle, a black Ford Explorer, Ga Tag [REDACTED], the driver, later identified as [VICTIM #1], began stating she was hit and that the driver was intoxicated. See accident report 202600021540 for further information.
I then observed the suspect, later identified as Quayla Rashanda Ross, standing in the roadway, swaying back and forth, arguing with [VICTIM #1]. I then advised Quayla to back up to her vehicle bumper a Kia Optima Temp Tag [REDACTED]. While walking back, Quayla was swaying and couldn’t keep her balance all the way to the vehicle. I then asked Quayla if I could pat her down for weapons. I observed a knife attached to her waist and asked her if I could remove it, to which she said yes. I then patted Quayla with the back of my hand. No other weapons were discovered. While patting Quayla for weapons, she began slurring and swaying back and forth. I also noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her person.
After patting Quayla down, I walked over to [VICTIM #1] and asked her what had happened. [VICTIM #1] stated she was traveling northbound on MLK Jr Dr when Quayla’s vehicle, traveling southbound, entered her lane of travel and sideswiped her vehicle. [VICTIM #1] stated she honked to get Quayla’s attention, but after Quayla sideswiped her, Quayla continued driving and stopped shortly after. While speaking with [VICTIM #1], I observed damage to her vehicle’s driver-side front bumper. I then walked over to Quayla’s vehicle and observed damage consistent with a sideswipe accident. I also observed an open, half-full bottle of Paul Masson alcoholic beverage on Quayla’s driver’s-side floorboard. I then asked Quayla if I could get her license from her, to which she agreed.
I then returned to my vehicle, and during this time, Med 6 arrived and began evaluating [VICTIM #1] for injuries. [VICTIM #1] advised that during this time, she wanted to get transported to the hospital. Med 6 later transported [VICTIM #1] to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] for further treatment. Ofc Bruce arrived, and I informed him of what occurred.
Ofc Bruce then escorted Quaylas to his patrol vehicle and attempted to perform a field sobriety test. See Ofc Bruce Supplemental report for further. I then walked over to Ofc Bruce while he was talking to Quayla, and he advised her multiple times on whether she would participate in SFSTS. Quayla began yelling “yes” and “no” and questioned what was happening.
Due to Quayla’s behavior, swaying back and forth, and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her person, I placed Quayla into custody for DUI less safe, failure to maintain lane, and open container. Ofc Bruce placed Quayla in properly fitted handcuffs, double locking to ensure they didn’t tighten further. I then did a search incident to arrest and check for any weapons, illegal contraband, or means of escape. Nothing was found at the time of the search. I then secured Quayla in the back seat of my marked patrol vehicle with a seatbelt.
I then read Implied consent notice for suspects age 21 and over to Quayla for blood, to which she refused. While reading implied consent, Quayla was slurring and yelling, and she wouldn’t let me speak without interrupting me. Due to Quayla’s noncooperation, I read the implied consent again, but she did not respond and remained silent and would not answer yes or no to the implied consent. I interpreted her silence and uncopperation as a refusal to implied consent.
I then conducted a probable-cause search of Quayla’s vehicle with Ofc Bruce and Ofc Harris. Ofc Bruce advised he noticed an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle, but none was discovered. The alcoholic beverage in the floorboard was photographed and disposed of. During this time, I called for the next two lists tows. Clinton Wrecker towed Quayla’s vehicle, and All County Tow towed [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle.
I drove my marked patrol vehicle, code 1, to Barrow County Jail, where Quayla was turned over to BCDC Staff.
The back seat of my patrol vehicle was searched before and after the transport of Quayla, but nothing was discovered.
My body camera was activated during the arrest and transport of Quayla.
A DDS-1205 form was completed, and Quayla’s license was confiscated. Quayla then refused to sign the form, and the yellow copy of the DDS-1205 was left with her property.
Quayla was issued three citations for Failure to maintain lane(WC002560), DUI 1st Offense(WC002561) and Open container(WC002562).
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
6/4/26
FELONY WARRANT DISMISSED — POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CHARGE DROPPED AGAINST QUAYLA RASHANDA ROSS
What this means: Assistant District Attorney Andrew Brill of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit filed a motion in the Superior Court of Barrow County to dismiss felony warrant 2026-0833FW against Quayla Rashanda Ross, which charged her with Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance. The basis for the dismissal is that a vape device and cartridges seized from Ross were sent to the GBI Crime Lab for testing. Lab results found only delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol in the sample — not delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Delta-8 is not a controlled substance under Georgia law, meaning no controlled substance was actually found. With no legal basis to proceed on the felony charge, the State chose not to file an accusation or present the matter to a grand jury, and the warrant was dismissed. The record in this matter has been restricted.
6/4/26
CASE TRANSFERRED TO STATE COURT — REMAINING MISDEMEANOR CHARGES AGAINST QUAYLA RASHANDA ROSS MOVED FOR DISPOSITION
What this means: With the felony warrant (2026-0833FW) dismissed, District Attorney J. Bradley Smith of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit filed a Transfer to State Court in the Superior Court of Barrow County, moving the remaining warrants against Quayla Rashanda Ross — 2026-0834MW, 2026-0836MW, and 2026-0835MW — to the State Court of Barrow County. Because all remaining charges are misdemeanors, the case no longer belongs in Superior Court, which handles felonies. Those remaining charges include DUI – Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Open Container, and Following Too Closely. The case will now proceed in Barrow County State Court, case number 26-NA-00680, where misdemeanor matters are handled.