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Name:
Hernandez-Esparza, Noe
Date of Booking:
07/25/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
DUI-Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive
Open Container Violation Beer/Ale/Proter/Stout/Other Similar Beverages
Failure to Maintain Lane
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 July 25th, 2026, at approximately 2346 hours, I responded to 790 Burnt Hickory Rd, Cartersville, GA 30121, in reference to assisting with a possible intoxicated driver.
Upon arrival, I met with Deputy J. Stevens with the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Stevens advised me that he conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for failure to maintain the lane. Deputy Stevens stated he observed the vehicle cross the white fog line and into the grass while it was traveling south on Burnt Hickory Rd. Deputy Stevens said that he made contact with the driver of the vehicle and observed an open “Bud Light” alcoholic beverage in the front seat cup holder. Deputy Stevens said that the driver, Noe Hernandez-Esparza, had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcoholic beverage, and had slurred speech. Deputy Stevens said that Noe admitted to consuming 2 tall alcoholic beverages. The scene was then turned over to me.
I then met with Noe. I asked Noe how much he had to drink tonight. Noe stated nothing. When asked if we could check to make sure he could drive, he stated he wanted a lawyer. I asked Noe again if he would do field sobriety with me. Noe said no. I observed Noe’s eyes to be both bloodshot and watery. I also noticed Noe had slurred and slowed speech when he spoke, and a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person. I approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and observed an open “Bud Light” in the cup holder. Noe began yelling for his wife, [WITNESS #1], who was in a parking spot across the parking lot, to record the interaction. Noe was asked to give a breath sample. Noe stated no.
Based on my knowledge, training, experience, along with my observations of physical manifestations of Noe and driving mannerisms, I found Noe to be under the influence of alcohol. I placed Noe in handcuffs behind the back, checked them for proper fit, and double locked them. I read Noe the implied consent notice for suspects over the age of 21, and he stated he pleaded the Fifth. I advised Noe that I would be taking this answer as a refusal. I placed Noe in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle.
As I retrieved the open tall “Bud Light”, I located an open “Fireball” alcoholic beverage in the front seat area. I observed the tall “Bud Light” to be half full and cold to the touch. I observed that the “Fireball” was almost empty, with very little liquid left. [WITNESS #1] was allowed to walk to the vehicle. I asked [WITNESS #1] if she knew Noe was drinking. [WITNESS #1] said that she knew Noe was drinking but that she did not know Noe had left their residence. [WITNESS #1] was allowed to take the vehicle from the scene.
I transported Noe to the Bartow County Jail. While on the way to the jail, Noe began to speak to himself and continued to have slurred speech to the point I was unable to understand him. I issued Noe uniform traffic citations for DUI-Less Safe, Open Container, and Failure to maintain lane.
[End of Narrative]