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Name:
Clark, Richard Paul
Date of Booking:
01/31/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Improper Lane Change/Failure to Maintain Lane
Improper Lane Change/Failure to Maintain Lane
Reckless Driving
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (less safe)
Striking Fixed Object
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.]
On Friday, January 30, 2026, at approximately 1922 hours, I responded Code 3, emergency lights and sirens, to the area of Idlewood Rd and Colonial Hill Rd to meet with a Winder Officer who had detained the suspect of a Hit-and-Run that occurred at the intersection of Hwy 211 NW and Rockwell Church Rd NW.
Upon arrival, I met with Winder Sgt. Yarbrough, who had located and detained the suspect of the above hit-and-run. Sgt. Yarbrough advised me that the subject, later identified as Richard Clark, had been observed stumbling in the roadway and smelled strongly of alcohol.
I then spoke to Richard and immediately noticed the strong odor commonly associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages coming from him. I asked Richard what had happened, and he said that he had been at Fryer’s Tavern, 715 Hwy 211 NW, an establishment known to serve alcoholic beverages, where he had consumed “a few” alcoholic beverages before getting in his vehicle to drive home. He also admitted he had drunk additional alcoholic beverages before his arrival at the tavern.
He said that when he turned from Hwy 211 NW onto Rockwell Church Rd NW, there was a vehicle on Rockwell Church Rd NW, coming West in the turn lane, that he side-swiped. He said he thought the vehicle was in his lane, but he was unsure. He then continued driving, failing to stop at the scene of the accident. He eventually turned right onto City Pond Road, traveling South, where he believed his vehicle had suffered damage to the steering, as he could not maintain his lane of travel. He then struck a mailbox and went into a ditch. He said he then began walking away from that location until he was met by Sgt. Yarbrough.
The entire time I was speaking to Richard, he was unsteady on his feet, unable to stand straight up without swaying side to side, nearly falling over, before he began leaning against the patrol vehicle. He also had glassy, watery eyes and was slurring his words. While I spoke with him, Dep. Sanson had gone to the scene of the hit-and-run accident and made contact with the other driver, [VICTIM #1], who advised that he was on Rockwell Church Rd NW, in the left-hand turn lane, intending to turn South onto Hwy 211 NW, when a silver car turned extremely wide off of Hwy 211 NW, striking the driver’s side of his vehicle. He said the silver vehicle did not stop, but continued traveling East down Rockwell Church Rd NW, while he pulled into a parking lot and called 911.
His vehicle is a blue 2019 Ford Mustang, and sustained functional damage to the front, driver’s side headlight, and front fender. Dep. Sanson then relocated to the suspect vehicle, where it had indeed struck a mailbox belonging to [VICTIM #2] at [900 BLOCK] City Pond Rd, and had sustained disabling damage as well as airbag deployment.
Based on my observations of Richard, as well as the statements of the witnesses, the other driver, and the findings of Dep. Sanson, I then placed Richard under arrest. I placed his hands in handcuffs behind his back, which I checked for fit and double locked. I then read him Implied Consent for persons over the age of 21 and requested a blood sample, which he agreed to. I then searched him, incident to arrest, and found nothing. I then transported him to NEGMC, Barrow, where a blood draw was conducted by Phlebotomist [REDACTED] at approximately 2040 hours, and the kit was sealed at approximately 2043 hours by her. Richard was then tended to because of the accident, and once cleared by the hospital, I transported him to the Barrow County Detention Center and transferred custody of him to the Deputies on shift there. I inspected the rear seat of my patrol vehicle before and after transporting him and found nothing.
Warrants for the arrest of Richard Clark were secured for the following offenses:
Violation of OCGA 40-6-270(a) Hit and Run, in that while driving his silver 2007 Infinity G35 bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], on Hwy 211 NW, Richard Clark did strike a blue 2019 Ford Mustang bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], driven by [VICTIM #1], as he turned right onto Rockwell Church Rd NW, and did not stop his vehicle but continued driving East on Rockwell Church Rd NW, leaving the accident scene.
Violation of OCGA 40-6-272 Striking Fixed Object, in that while driving his silver 2007 Infinity G35 bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], on City Pond Rd, Richard Clark did strike a mailbox at [900 BLOCK] City Pond Rd, then struck a ditch, and fled the accident scene on foot without making any attempt to contact the property owner or call 911.
Violation of OCGA 40-6-391(a)(1) Driving under the influence of Alcohol (less safe), in that while driving his silver 2007 Infinity G35 bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], Richard Clark did fail to maintain his lane of travel, strike a blue 2019 Ford Mustang bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], leave the scene of that accident, strike a mailbox at [900 BLOCK] City Pond Rd, then struck a ditch, and fled that accident scene on foot, all after having consumed multiple alcoholic beverages, admitted by him and evidenced by his glassy, watery eyes, slurred speech, unsteadiness on his feet, and the odor commonly associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages coming from him.
Violation of OCGA 40-6-390 Reckless Driving, in that while driving his silver 2007 Infinity G35 bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], Richard Clark had consumed multiple alcoholic beverages prior to driving, severely impacting his ability to drive safely, and recklessly endangering the safety of other drivers and property, striking a blue 2019 Ford Mustang bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED] , driven by [VICTIM #1], and then later striking a mailbox at [900 BLOCK] City Pond Rd, then struck a ditch.
Two Counts of violation of OCGA 40-6-48 Failure to Maintain Lane, in that while driving his silver 2007 Infinity G35 bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], Richard Clark did fail to maintain his lane of travel on Rockwell Church Rd NW, striking a blue 2019 Ford Mustang bearing Georgia Registration Number [REDACTED], leave the scene of that accident, then again leave his lane of travel and strike a mailbox at [900 BLOCK] City Pond Rd, then continued into a ditch.
The two witnesses present, [WITNESS #1], who had observed Richard walking in the road and had almost struck him with his vehicle, and [WITNESS #2], who had observed Richard’s vehicle swerving in the lane of travel, leaving the roadway and crossing the center line, nearly striking other vehicles, and witnessed Richard strike the above mentioned mailbox and ditch, both completed written statements. The blood draw kit was submitted into evidence. Richard’s vehicle was removed from the ditch he left it in by #1 Tow. See Dep. Sanson’s accident report for additional details.
[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:
2/4/26
ACCUSATION FILED — 7 COUNTS CHARGED AGAINST RICHARD PAUL CLARK
What this means: The State Court of Barrow County formally charged Richard Paul Clark with seven offenses, all stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred on January 30, 2026, on Georgia Highway 211 and City Pond Road in Barrow County. The accusation was signed by Kristen L. Murphy, Chief Assistant Solicitor-General, on behalf of Solicitor-General Kyle Thompson, and filed with the Clerk of State Court on February 4, 2026. The seven counts are as follows:
Count 1 charges Richard Paul Clark with Driving Under the Influence (Per Se) under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391(a)(5), alleging his blood alcohol concentration was .08 grams or more within three hours of driving on Georgia Highway 211.
Count 2 charges Richard Paul Clark with Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe) (Alcohol) under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391(a)(1), alleging he drove while under the influence of alcohol to the extent it made him a less safe driver.
Count 3 charges Richard Paul Clark with Hit and Run under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, alleging he was involved in an accident resulting in damage to a vehicle driven by another person on Georgia Highway 211 and knowingly failed to stop, return to the scene, or render assistance as required by law.
Count 4 charges Richard Paul Clark with Violation of Duty Upon Striking Fixed Object under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-272, alleging he was the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident that damaged a mailbox — property belonging to another person — adjacent to a highway, and failed to take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner of that property.
Count 5 charges Richard Paul Clark with Reckless Driving under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-390, alleging he drove on Georgia Highway 211 in a manner showing reckless disregard for the safety of persons and property after consuming alcoholic beverages.
Count 6 charges Richard Paul Clark with Failure to Maintain Lane under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-48, alleging he failed to drive his vehicle as nearly as practicable within a single clearly marked lane on Georgia Highway 211.
Count 7 charges Richard Paul Clark with a second count of Failure to Maintain Lane under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-48, alleging he failed to stay within a single traffic lane on City Pond Road without first confirming the move could be made safely.
2/6/26
GUILTY PLEA ENTERED AND SENTENCE IMPOSED — RICHARD PAUL CLARK PLEADS GUILTY TO 3 COUNTS; 4 COUNTS DISMISSED
What this means: On February 6, 2026, Richard Paul Clark appeared in the State Court of Barrow County before Judge Robert M. Gardner, Jr., and entered guilty pleas to three of the seven counts against him as part of a negotiated plea agreement. Defense attorney Ari Williams represented Clark. The remaining four counts were dismissed through a process called nolle prosequi — meaning the State, through Assistant Solicitor-General Kristen L. Murphy, agreed to drop those charges in connection with the plea. Here is how each count was resolved:
Count 1 (DUI Per Se) — Dismissed via nolle prosequi.
Count 2 (DUI Less Safe – Alcohol) — Richard Paul Clark pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 12 months and ordered to pay a fine of $1,664.
Count 3 (Hit and Run) — Richard Paul Clark pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 12 months, ordered to pay a fine of $1,400, and runs consecutive to Count 2 (meaning this sentence is added on top of Count 2’s sentence, not served at the same time).
Count 4 (Violation of Duty Upon Striking Fixed Object) — Dismissed via nolle prosequi.
Count 5 (Reckless Driving) — Dismissed via nolle prosequi.
Count 6 (Failure to Maintain Lane) — Richard Paul Clark pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 12 months, ordered to pay a fine of $300, and runs consecutive to Count 3 (meaning this sentence is added on top of Count 3’s sentence).
Count 7 (Failure to Maintain Lane) — Dismissed via nolle prosequi.
The total combined sentence is 36 months. The first 7 days are to be served in confinement. The remainder is to be served on probation, provided Richard Paul Clark complies with all conditions of probation imposed by the court. Clark receives credit for time served in custody from January 31, 2026, through February 6, 2026. The plea statement confirms the plea was freely and voluntarily entered, and the court accepted it as the full and final disposition of Case No. 26-ST-00117.
2/6/26
ORDER CLARIFYING STATUS OF WARRANTS AND CITATIONS — RICHARD PAUL CLARK
What this means: Also on February 6, 2026, Judge Robert Gardner of the State Court of Barrow County signed an order addressing warrant and citation numbers 2026-0297 through 2026-0302 in Case No. 26-ST-00117. The order confirms that the offenses covered by those warrants and citations were resolved through the plea, dismissal, or plea negotiation involving other charges, and will not be subject to further prosecution. The court checked the box indicating that the above warrants and citations are not a basis for the further confinement of Richard Paul Clark, barring any other holds.